A decision guide for businesses
In-house warehousing
or outsourced?
The best solution does not have to change everything. Consider which stock should stay in your business and where external warehousing would genuinely ease the workload.
Compare the optionsThree approaches compared
All in-house, all outsourced
or a well-planned combination.
No option is inherently better. These questions help you find the right balance.
| Criterion | In-house warehousing | External warehousing | Combination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to goods | Directly on-site, following your internal processes. | Deliveries and call-offs are planned together. | Daily requirements stay on-site; other stock is held externally. |
| Space | Stock takes up your own business premises. | Suitable stock is stored outside your business premises. | Only selected stock is moved off-site. |
| Organisation | You are responsible for staff, storage locations, stock and equipment. | You decide which tasks you handle and which the partner manages. | Two storage locations need clear stock and handover rules. |
| Key points to check | Will space, staff and equipment remain sufficient in future? | Do the storage conditions, call-offs, journeys and scope of service fit? | Is it clear which goods are needed at each location? |
Comparing costs properly
Look beyond the price per square metre.
A sound decision needs comparable services. Compare your current costs and workload with an offer that includes the tasks you actually need.
- Space and equipmentUse of your premises, shelving, machinery and the required warehouse equipment.
- Staff and administrationGoods receipt, putaway, locating items, order picking, stock checks and staff cover.
- Goods movements and journeysFrequency of deliveries and call-offs, loading and unloading, and additional transport.
- Additional tasksPacking, dispatch preparation, rework and coordination between the parties involved.
A practical decision
Start with the stock that is in the way.
Reserve stock, packaged product series or finished goods can be a good starting point. Production-critical goods that need constant access require especially careful coordination.
Start by describing a clearly defined stock holding: goods, quantity, timeframe and expected call-offs. This makes it possible to assess whether extra space is enough or whether you also want to hand over warehouse tasks.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is external warehousing always cheaper?
No, there is no universal answer. Compare in-house space and staff costs, equipment, stock management and goods movements with the specific external offer. Additional journeys and coordination also belong in the comparison.
Do I have to outsource my entire warehouse?
No. For example, you can keep frequently needed goods on-site and store reserve, production-series or finished-goods stock externally. The right split depends on your call-offs and workflows.
Can I use just the space or also request support?
Both options can be assessed by arrangement. You can organise tasks yourself or hand over goods receipt, stock management, order picking and packing, for example. The scope of service is defined around your goods.
Let's discuss it
Which stock would you like to organise differently?
Tell us about the goods and approximate volume. Together, we will assess whether external warehousing or a combination suits your business.