Find Co-Warehousing & Shared Warehouse Spaces

As a matchmaker between businesses and warehouse companies, we’ve seen a shift toward co-warehousing in recent years. It’s a desirable option for startups, small businesses, and e-commerce companies seeking cost-effective warehouse spaces.

Many small businesses use co-warehouses to access shared space and equipment (not to be confused with 3PL providers). Since companies share the costs, they benefit from lower rates.

• 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) providers: offer comprehensive fulfillment services. This means they handle receiving, storage, picking, packing, shipping, and returns. 3PLs maintain their own facilities, staff, and technology systems. They typically charge for each service they provide.
• Co-warehousing: is simply sharing warehouse space with other businesses. Instead of leasing an entire warehouse, you rent a portion of the space. While you might share some equipment like forklifts, you’re typically responsible for your own staff and fulfillment processes. However, there are exceptions both ways.

Why Businesses Are Choosing Co-Warehouses

Despite greater demand for warehousing and storage space, traditional warehouse leases have become too expensive and inflexible for small and medium-sized businesses. Commercial real estate prices have increased, making warehouse leases highly competitive and challenging to afford on a tight budget.

In a co-warehousing arrangement, each business operates autonomously in the same facility but within separate or shared storage areas. This lets you scale your warehouse space up or down as your inventory fluctuates or demand changes.

Many businesses can’t justify leasing an entire warehouse. Co-warehousing offers a practical alternative: rent the space you need while sharing overhead costs. At Warehousing and Fulfillment, we help customers find warehouse spaces with transparency and at no extra cost. Based on our customer feedback, here are the main benefits of co-warehousing:

• Split the rent with other businesses to save on costs
• Space that grows or shrinks with your inventory needs
• Share forklifts and loading equipment to reduce costs
• Month-to-month flexibility instead of long-term commitments

We can assist if you’re looking for reliable warehouse services at the best price. Co-warehousing offers an affordable solution for companies while offering bonus amenities they likely wouldn’t have otherwise. This type of setup has become increasingly common as more e-commerce companies have emerged in the U.S.

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With 20+ years of experience as a warehousing consultant, share your storage and handling needs, and we’ll match you with local warehousing facilities.

Co-Warehousing Advantages

If you identify as one of the following types of businesses, co-warehousing may be a viable option for you:

• Startups launching their initial operations – get your business running without committing to long-term leases or purchasing warehouse equipment upfront
• Small businesses looking to reduce expenses – share costs of utilities, security systems, cleaning services, and basic facility maintenance
• E-commerce companies needing to pivot – adjust your space month-to-month as your order volume changes
• Businesses with uncertain futures – avoid lengthy lease commitments while you establish your market fit
• Companies watching equipment and staff costs – access forklifts, pallet jacks, and trained operators at a lower cost.

Co-Warehousing Disadvantages

Here are some common drawbacks of co-warehousing based on customer experiences:

• Limited control over customizing your warehouse area – racking systems, lighting, and workspace layout must often conform to facility standards
• Less privacy than your own warehouse – other businesses may see your operations and inventory levels
• Increased noise and distractions – forklifts, pallet jacks, and loading activity from other businesses during peak hours
• Limited space available – popular facilities may not have room when you need to expand
• Sharing docks and equipment – you may need to coordinate schedules for receiving shipments or when using shared forklifts

We’ll Help You Find the Best Co-Warehouses

Please call us at 877-486-5236 or complete our online form. We’ll match you with qualified facilities that meet your handling, storage, and distribution needs.

Co-Warehousing: Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Will You Pay for Co-Warehousing?

Let’s be honest: much of the decision to share a warehouse boils down to cost. Co-warehousing costs vary depending on your location, the size of the space, and the amenities provided. Save time vetting warehouses. Share your needs, and we’ll match you with trusted facilities. Your costs will depend on practical factors like:

• Where the warehouse is located
• How much space your products take up
• Whether you need special temperature control
• How long you want to stay
• Whether you need more space during busy seasons
• How often you’ll be shipping products in and out
• How much help you need with day-to-day operations
• What kinds of warehouse equipment you’ll use

Where Are The Best Co-Warehousing Locations?

Something else we’ve learned as a family-run business in this industry since 2005 is that location matters significantly when choosing a co-warehouse. Here are some of the top co-warehousing markets to consider for your business and their advantages:

• New York City – a central hub with access to the Port of New York and New Jersey and key airports like JFK and LaGuardia
• Los Angeles – support for a diverse range of industries, including entertainment, apparel, aerospace, and technology, with a growing e-commerce sector
• Chicago – Illinois tax incentives and credits to reduce overall warehousing expenses while creating jobs
• Atlanta – Rapidly evolving logistics infrastructure and warehouses equipped with modern technology like RFID tracking and automated systems
• San Francisco – connections to the Port of Oakland, San Francisco International Airport, and major highways like I-80 and US-101 for domestic and international shipping

What to Look for When Evaluating a Co-Warehouse?

At Warehousing and Fulfillment, we offer straightforward vendor-matching services with no pay-to-play preferences, but as you do your research on co-warehousing options, here are the top things to look for in a co-warehouse space:

• A convenient and accessible location
• Useful amenities like loading docks and access to shared equipment
• Flexible options so you can expand or downsize as needs evolve
• 24-hour security and surveillance cameras for safety
• Lease terms and renewal options that fit your business goals
• A solid reputation based on customer service and honest reviews

Last Step

Since 2005 We’ve Been Helping Companies Just Like Yours

Your contact information is held in the strictest of confidence. We will contact you before we connect you with vendors so that we can learn about your situation, obtain any of your contact preferences, and answer any of your questions.

YOU have control over your contact details:

• No unwanted contacts – you control how vendors respond to you
• Remain confidential if you wish
• No commitment to choose any of our vendors
• Ask our 3PL Warehousing experts any questions you have!