Warehouse storage vs keeping inventory at my facility?

Your warehouse is packed and you're weighing outside storage against keeping everything in-house. With Ohio's industrial corridors along I-70 and I-75, you have options, but the math isn't always clear on transportation costs and managing split inventory.

Storage costs hit differently when you factor in the full picture. Outside warehouse rental runs $4-8 per square foot annually in Ohio, but your facility might cost $12-15 when you include utilities, insurance, and labor. The real question is whether moving inventory between locations eats up your savings.

Typical costs include the rental rate plus transportation between your facility and the warehouse. If you're shipping 2-3 times weekly between locations, trucking costs can add $200-500 monthly. Peak season overflow makes more sense than permanent splits. Some warehouses offer direct-to-customer shipping, which changes the equation completely.

Calculate your total cost per square foot at your current location, then compare it to rental plus transportation. Look for warehouses that can receive shipments directly and ship to your customers without involving your facility. Gateway Distribution handles trailer management at both customer and warehouse yards, so your trucks aren't waiting on dock space during transfers.

The right setup gives you flexibility without the headache of managing inventory in multiple places. You know exactly what's where, shipments move smoothly, and you're not paying for space you don't need year-round.

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