Get to Know Chad Warzecha, President of NXTPoint Logistics

Chad Warzecha is the newly appointed President of NXTPoint Logistics and has more than two decades in the supply chain logistics industry, including leadership positions at DHL Express (international logistics), DHL Supply Chain (transportation), Sears Logistics Service (big-box retail), Syncreon Technology (Google’s supply chain), and most recently as CEO of Staci Americas (e-commerce fulfillment). Below he shares details on his background in logistics, the passions that fuel his drive to succeed, his vision for elevating NXTPoint in the market, and why people are at the heart of every business decision.

Chad, the company is so thrilled to have you onboard as our new president! Your background in logistics is extensive…what led you to pursue a career in this industry?

It was an unexpected beginning that was rooted in the U.S. Air Force, and I think it found me. Once it did, though, I never looked back. I love people and processes. I learned early that success is a system, and that’s especially true for any veteran who’s served our great country. Standardization, optimization and teamwork aren’t just filler words thrown around in the military. They are mission-critical elements and can be easily translated into what our industry can aspire to achieve.

I’ve been drawn to the impactful role of logistics in the global economy, in addition to supporting businesses and the teams I’ve led. The logistics industry is often regarded to be at the forefront of technological advancements, such as AI, automation and data analytics. However, it’s always been about the people for me, especially when you find a special unicorn of an individual that you want to help throughout their career. That’s what I love: the platform it provides to do those things.

With new leadership often comes new vision around how a company can be best positioned for future success. What about NXTPoint led you to consider the role of president, and how do those qualities align with your vision for the company?

I’m very fortunate to be able to build on the existing leadership of Mike Brannigan, who is the President and CEO of Suddath (our parent company). My focus is to execute an already aligned vision. We spent a lot of time getting to know one another, and our way of leading for the Suddath family was important to me. I started creating a menu of things that are important to me, like we all probably do when deciding on our next career move. I chose the superior culture and belief that we are organizing a company that offers better service and value than what the market is currently providing.

The team at NXTPoint takes a great deal of pride in our people-powered, customer-driven approach to everything we do. How do you see that as a differentiator in such a highly competitive industry?

Simplicity is the secret sauce. People Powered. Customer Driven. It begins with our ownership by a third-generation Suddath family who embodies that vision. We are part of a nearly $1 billion privately held business, and it allows us to cut through the red tape to serve our customers, communities and people with the highest levels of care. Few organizations can truly make that claim in our industry. Modernizing and innovating the business becomes easier when you can drive simplification through the organization. We’re not wasting calories on unimportant things, overseas parent companies or a private equity company changing hands every few years. That, in turn, allows us to foster a culture and environment in which our workforce can thrive, grow and be rewarded.

We all have access to the same physical buildings, equipment, robotics and general cost structures (although our parcel program is another big difference). If you really pay attention to competitor blog posts, they emphasize their capabilities, locations, service offerings and some technology — often very much overstated for marketing purposes only. We all have those things, so that messaging is a real disservice to our customers. I’m proud to lead with our “People Powered. Customer Driven” approach. When you combine that focus with our values around trust, innovation, teamwork, caring and agility and stay disciplined to not get distracted from our way of leading, the market will reward you with their trust, and we see it despite the economic conditions we are currently operating in.

The supply chain industry is currently witnessing a great deal of volatility and uncertainty, particularly as it relates to tariffs and the elimination of the de minimis exemption that went into effect on May 2. What are some of the most immediate challenges that companies are facing from these changes, and what industries will be most affected?

I was just speaking with a past customer today about this and asked him about it. He shared, as many others have, that the most pressing obstacles for his company include increased costs due to new tariffs on imports; wrestling with how to pass those down to customers or squeeze his vendors; the added compliance requirements for Customs; and worries about another potential supply chain disruption. The elimination of the de minimis exemption, especially for low-value goods, will disproportionately have the most impact on businesses that rely on international trade for these products. The 3PLs that have large customer bases in those areas — such as subscription companies, health and beauty, supplements, etc. — will feel the greatest impact.

The elimination of the de minimis exemption essentially means these brands now have to pay tariffs on imports, including the low-value goods. It’s a cost not easily passed down to customers, and margins are already very thin. If this becomes sustained, then imports will slow and network rationalization will start to occur.

How can NXTPoint work with companies to adjust their supply chain strategies and minimize the impacts of these changes?

This is still unfolding, but we will all need some level of resilience and adaptability. At NXTPoint, we have a great network of space available, including Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) and bonded facilities to help mitigate some of this for customers who need to optimize their logistics at below-market real estate rates.

For companies that may not be accustomed to navigating these types of regulatory changes on their own, how can they quickly work to stay compliant without sacrificing speed or customer satisfaction?

NXTPoint is a market leader when it comes to this. It’s not good enough to respond to customers’ needs. We anticipate them by remaining nimble and being able to detect supply chain disruptions before they have major effects.

While some 3PLs are scrambling to acquire FTZs and Customs bonded warehouses, NXTPoint already has them, and over the last several weeks, we have made them even more accessible. While widespread uncertainty around the latest tariffs is causing companies to anxiously re-examine their logistic partners’ capabilities, we are well positioned to answer the bell and respond to any questions customers may have.

Looking toward the future, how are these concerns impacting your long-term vision for the company to remain a trusted partner for your clients?

The long-term vision is the same as the immediate short-term vision: to get customers and keep them happy. I’ve never believed in selling to customers. I believe in serving customers. There are ebbs and flows along the way of how best to accomplish that, but during times of uncertainty, they need capable, competent leaders looking after their supply chains who understand how to navigate these times and experiences. With the recent rebranding of NXTPoint, I’m excited to reintroduce this amazing talented leadership and team to the market. #People Powered. Customer Driven.