NXTPoint Logistics launches national PIT rodeo to spotlight safety and skill

NXTPoint Logistics held its first National PIT Rodeo on Oct. 17 in Jacksonville, Florida, bringing together 11 top powered industrial truck operators from across the U.S. The event highlighted safety performance, training and employee recognition across the company’s warehouse and fulfillment network.

Why it matters: - NXTPoint Logistics used the competition to reinforce a safety culture that affects daily warehouse and fulfillment operations across its national network. - The event also tied employee recognition to operational performance, which can help retention, engagement and training discipline. - The rodeo turned safety practices into a visible company-wide benchmark for powered industrial truck operators.

What happened: - NXTPoint Logistics hosted its inaugural National PIT Rodeo on Oct. 17, 2026, at the company’s Jacksonville facility. - Eleven powered industrial truck operators competed after qualifying through local competitions and strong safety performance at their facilities. - More than 150 attendees watched the event. - The winner received a $1,000 prize and a commemorative belt buckle.

The details: - The competition included challenges that tested equipment handling, operational knowledge, accuracy and safe operating practices under real-world conditions. - NXTPoint said the event was designed to highlight the skill, precision and commitment to safety that support its warehouse and fulfillment operations. - Lee Kirk, chief operating officer of contract logistics at NXTPoint Logistics, said safety is a core value and a central part of how the company serves customers. - Kirk said the rodeo recognized top operators while reinforcing training, accountability and team-building across the organization. - The event also featured food trucks, kid-friendly activities, giveaways and opportunities for employees, families, customers and community guests to meet NXTPoint leaders and operations teams. - Trish St. John, senior vice president of EHS and quality assurance, said the competing operators represent the best of NXTPoint and show that safety and performance go hand in hand. - NXTPoint said the celebration supported employee recognition and engagement as part of its safety culture.

Between the lines: - The rodeo framed safety as both a compliance issue and a culture-building tool. - By making operators compete publicly, NXTPoint created a high-visibility way to reward the behaviors it wants repeated across its facilities. - The event also signals that NXTPoint sees training and recognition as linked, not separate, levers for operational improvement.

What's next: - NXTPoint expects the National PIT Rodeo to become an annual tradition. - The company plans to make the event a cornerstone of broader safety and employee recognition initiatives. - NXTPoint Logistics continues to position itself around omnichannel fulfillment, warehousing, distribution, transportation and final-mile services through a nationwide network of facilities and transportation resources.