The Five Essential KPI Areas for Evaluating Public Warehousing in St. Louis

When evaluating options for public warehousing in St. Louis, making the right choice goes beyond just comparing pricing. A facility that’s inexpensive but underperforms can actually increase your long-term logistics costs. Instead, one of the best ways to assess warehousing performance is by using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

KPIs allow for an objective, apples-to-apples comparison between public warehouse providers. Since the warehousing industry is built on measurable performance, using KPIs helps ensure that your chosen facility aligns with your company’s operational goals and service-level expectations.

Why KPIs Matter for Public Warehousing in St. Louis

KPIs are benchmarks that reflect how well a warehouse executes core logistics functions. Whether you’re shipping retail goods, managing seasonal inventory, or outsourcing fulfillment, having measurable data allows you to evaluate the real value of a St. Louis public warehouse partner.

At Clark Logistics, we use industry-standard metrics to continuously optimize operations—and we encourage our clients to do the same when evaluating potential partners.

The Five KPI Categories That Define Warehouse Performance

Each of the following KPI categories applies across key operational areas of public warehousing, from inbound shipments to outbound fulfillment.

1. Cost KPIs

Track the true financial impact of warehouse operations:

• Cost per order line picked

• Cost per pallet stored

• Receiving cost per shipment
  These metrics help you calculate ROI and uncover inefficiencies that may not be obvious at first glance.

2. Productivity KPIs

Measure how efficiently staff and systems are performing:

• Orders picked per hour

• Shipments processed per labor hour

• Receiving volume per staff hour
  This shows whether your warehouse is operating at peak efficiency or underperforming compared to industry standards.

3. Utilization KPIs

Understand how well labor and space are being used:

• Labor utilization rate

• Equipment utilization rate

• Storage space utilization (pallets per square foot)
  Maximizing utilization can significantly reduce operating costs without sacrificing service levels.

4. Quality KPIs

Evaluate accuracy and consistency:

• Perfect order rate

• Picking accuracy

• Receiving accuracy vs. manifest
  High accuracy reduces returns, improves customer satisfaction, and avoids costly rework.

5. Cycle Time KPIs

Monitor the speed of your operations:

• Order cycle time (pick to ship)

• Receiving to put-away time

• Inventory turnover rate
  Faster cycle times translate to better responsiveness and more agile supply chain management.

How KPIs Apply Across Public Warehouse Operations

Receiving Goods

Measure how efficiently incoming stock is processed:

• Labor hours per shipment

• Receiving accuracy rate

• Time from dock to shelf

Faster, more accurate receiving ensures smooth inventory flow and minimizes bottlenecks.

Put-Away Efficiency

The method used—automated, batch-based, or interleaved—impacts performance:

• Put-away cycle time

• Labor utilization in stocking

• Equipment uptime

Effective put-away improves inventory accuracy and speeds up order fulfillment.

Storage Density and Cost

The choice of racking and layout affects both efficiency and expense:

• Storage cost per unit

• Square-foot utilization

• Inventory accuracy during storage

Facilities using high-density systems like double-deep racks or portable stacking frames can offer cost-effective, flexible storage.

Picking and Packing

Optimize fulfillment by tracking:

• Lines picked per hour

• Picking error rate

• Packing cost per order

Efficient picking and packing processes reduce labor costs and improve on-time delivery.

Shipping and Fulfillment

Ensure orders are leaving the warehouse correctly and on time:

• Order-to-shipment cycle time

• On-time shipment rate

• Perfect order fulfillment rate

These metrics reflect your warehouse’s ability to meet SLAs and customer expectations.

Choosing the Right Public Warehousing Partner in St. Louis

By applying these five KPI categories across key operational areas, you can make smarter decisions when choosing a public warehouse in St. Louis. Whether you’re managing peak season volume or launching a new fulfillment strategy, performance metrics offer a reliable framework for success.

At Clark Logistics, we provide full-service public warehousing solutions backed by data-driven performance, cutting-edge technology, and a centrally located St. Louis facility. We help businesses scale faster, operate more efficiently, and deliver better results.

Ready to evaluate your warehouse performance?
Contact Clark Logistics to learn how our KPI-driven operations can elevate your supply chain.