Find the Best 3PL Warehouses & Fulfillment Centers in Iowa

Iowa is a midwestern state that is seated between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The state is surrounded by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota. The state’s geography is marked with rolling hills and is best known for its corn and grain fields. The state’s rich agricultural history make it an ideal location for warehousing agricultural and other edible goods, as well as many others.

Iowa is accessible by several major interstate highways, including 380, 80, 29, and 35, which runs from Mexico to Canada. The state is also well connected through its own network of state and local highways.

Iowa also has major airports and railway access, and thanks to it’s strategic positioning along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, Iowa can also process water-based cargo at the ports of Burlington, Dubuque and Keokuk.

Why Iowa is a Great Location for Your Fulfillment Center

The Midwestern State of Iowa is bordered by Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Known best for its agriculture, Iowa is a great place for your fulfillment services. The State of Iowa is less than a day’s drive to the Canadian border in Minnesota and is conveniently accessed through a series of highways which include 35 and 90.

Iowa also has rail services, and major Iowa airports include Des Moines International Airport and Sioux Gateway Airport.

What to Look For in the Best Fulfillment Companies in Iowa

But location alone isn’t the only consideration when outsourcing 3PL, warehousing, fulfillment, and shipping in Iowa. At WarehousingAndFulfillment.com, we specialize in painlessly matching you with the best fulfillment centers in Iowa for your company’s specific needs. In addition to location, we match businesses based upon:

• Years in Business
• Number of Customers
• Annual Order Volume
• Customer Retention Rates
• Order Accuracy Rates
• Inventory Accuracy Rates
• Shipping Accuracy Rates

And performance metrics aren’t the only consideration we take into mind. We also match you with companies that are best suited for the products you sell, the channels you sell through, the technologies you use, and any other requirements necessary. Get in touch with your ideal matches today – fill out a request for quotes or call us for FREE matches and quotes!

Top Cities for Fulfillment Service Companies in Iowa

Des Moines Iowa 3PL Warehousing Companies

Located in the heart of the State of Iowa, the capitol city of Des Moines, Iowa is the state’s largest city in the State of Iowa with over 216k people.

Des Moines is centrally located within the state, with highway access from major interstate highways 235, 80 and 35, which runs from Canada to Mexico, as well as many local and state highways which run through the city.

Des Moines is also home to the Des Moines International Airport which offers both commercial and freight services, and the city of Des Moines is railroad accessible via the Norfolk Southern line.

Cedar Rapids Iowa 3PL Warehouse Service Providers

Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the second-largest city in the State of Iowa with a population of over 131k. Cedar Rapids is located in the eastern portion of Iowa, seated along interstate 380, and just under two hours to the border of Ilinois. Not far from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids is also within close proximity of I80, which runs from east to west across the State of Iowa.

Cedar Rapids is home to the Eastern Iowa Airport, which offers both commercial and cargo flights, and is an under two hours drive to Des Moines and the Des Moines International Airport. Cedar Rapids has railroad access via several major railroads including the CRANDIC Railway and the Iowa Interstate Railroad.

Davenport Iowa 3rd Party Warehousing Companies

Davenport, Iowa is the third-largest city in the State of Iowa. This northeast Iowa city boasts a combined statistical area (CSA) population of nearly 475,000. This makes Davenport the 90th largest CSA in the United States. Located along the eastern border of Iowa and Illinois, Davenport is conveniently positioned along Interstate highway 80, which runs east to west across the State of Iowa, and is also served by highways such as 80, 280, and 74. Davenport is just 673 miles to Toronto, Ontario Canada and about a three hours drive to Chicago, Illinois and Chicago’s Chicago O’hare International Airport.

Davenport is home to Davenport Municipal Airport, and thanks to its proximity to the border of Illinois, is approximately a 15-minute drive to the Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois.

Davenport also has a heavy railroad presence, with rail access via the Canadian Pacific and I&M Railroads. Recent improvements along the rail lines within the city were designed to make shipping more efficient in times of high water along the Mississippi River.

Sioux City Iowa Third-Party Logistics (3PL’s) Warehousing

Sioux City, Iowa is the fourth largest city in the State of Iowa. Located on the far northwest border of the State, Sioux City shares its border with both Nebraska and South Dakota. The city has a population of approximately 82k people, and is seated along Interstate highway 380, not far from Interstate 80 to the south.

The city of Sioux City is served by the Sioux Gateway Airport, a public and military use airport. Sioux Gateway Airport offers both passenger and freight services. Sioux city is also within about 100 miles of Omaha, Nebraska which is home to Omaha Eppley Field, an international airport.

Sioux City is also connected to railroad via the Union Pacific and Transco Railroads. The city also has a river port along the Missouri River.

Who are the Top 3PL Warehouses in Iowa?

The web is littered with recommendations and top lists of fulfillment and warehousing companies in Iowa, but unfortunately most of them are problematic in the least, and fully suspect at the worst. Our below “reviews of the reviews” attempts to take an objective look at the companies that show up in the search results and on “top lists” when researching warehouses in Iowa. As you will see from our unbiased and objective write-ups of these options, some companies can be high quality, while others are not only concerning, but also quite possibly out of business.

If you’d rather not take a chance on whether you can trust the review sites, our matching service can help you by providing hand-picked 3PLs that meet your specific needs – all at no cost. The warehouses in our network pay us a small, one-time fee to get the chance to quote your project, so there is no cost to you and nothing that impacts your pricing. But if you prefer to do your own research and peruse the multitude of “tops lists” out there – do so carefully because you don’t know what you’re going to get. Below are a few examples of our reviews of the most frequently listed companies – some good and some bad; and some that are good but that might not match your company’s specific needs.

Express Logistics

Express Logistics, a third-party logistics firm rooted in Iowa, specializes in various services, including LTL Freight, truckload freight, and pro ship technology. The company prides itself on tailoring solutions to meet specific needs while maintaining competitive rates. Express Logistics boasts high ratings in customer reviews with a great number of total reviews (over 100), reflecting a satisfied clientele. The positive feedback underscores the company’s commitment to delivering quality services and meeting customer expectations. The company provides extensive services, covering LTL Freight, truckload freight, and leveraging pro ship technology. This diverse offering positions Express Logistics as a versatile and comprehensive logistics solution provider.

Express Logistics offers competitive rates, ensuring clients receive value for their investment. The affordability of their services contributes to their attractiveness among businesses seeking cost-effective logistics solutions. Express Logistics brings substantial experience to the table, enhancing its capability to navigate the complexities of logistics. This depth of expertise indicates a seasoned approach, instilling confidence in clients seeking reliable and efficient solutions.

One potential limitation, on the negative side, is the presence of only one warehouse location. While the Iowa base is advantageous for local operations, it may pose challenges for businesses with broader distribution needs. Secondly, while their focus on LTL and larger pallet shipments is great for some companies (including B2B businesses), they may not have the specialization need for parcel shipping and high volume e-commerce fulfillment operations.

Express Logistics emerges as a reputable and reliable third-party logistics provider, earning praise for positive reviews, a broad range of services, competitive pricing, and extensive industry experience. Despite the constraint of a singular warehouse location and a focus on B2B services, the company showcases itself as a trustworthy option for businesses seeking efficient and customized logistics solutions in Iowa. With its combination of positive attributes, Express Logistics is a strong contender for those needing reliable 3PL services in the region.

WestWind Logistics

WestWind Logistics is a good example of how careful you must be when relying upon online lists for top 3PL companies in Iowa. While the company shows up in the search engine results pages and on some of the “top lists” of fulfillment options in Iowa, the company no longer has a website. It appears that the company may no longer be in business. Furthermore, the company has multiple negative reviews online. Despite a recent reduction in pallet assembly prices, the overall sentiment towards WestWind Logistics remains negative. There are allegations of stinginess from the owners, which, coupled with reports of low employee morale and a perceived lack of confidence, raises concerns about the company’s commitment to its workforce and customers. It is recommended that potential clients exercise caution and thoroughly evaluate their options before engaging with WestWind Logistics, starting with making sure they are still in business.