WSI x Syngenta: Building a Midwest Distribution Powerhouse
Building a central distribution hub means more than opening a new warehouse. A business must align strategy, operations, and innovation, especially when meeting the demands of today’s complex agricultural supply chains.
Global networks add layers of challenge and require balancing domestic and international shipments, navigating strict compliance requirements, and scaling for seasonal surges, all while keeping safety and accuracy at the forefront.
Syngenta faced these challenges head-on as it reimagined its U.S. supply chain. With the majority of demand concentrated in the Midwest, the company needed a trusted partner who could manage a greenfield build from concept to go-live and then adapt as business and industry needs evolved.
WSI delivered a brand-new midwest distribution facility that enabled:
- Double-digit growth during COVID, despite global disruption
- Domestic and international shipments supported from a single hub
- Top-tier on-time performance and safety scores in Syngenta’s U.S. network
A network in need of reinvention
For 25 years, Syngenta has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, with roots stretching back more than 250 years to Switzerland’s earliest chemical pioneers. From breakthrough crop protection and hybrid seed technologies to digital platforms like Cropwise™, the company has consistently combined science, sustainability, and collaboration to empower farmers worldwide. Syngenta operates in more than 90 countries with over 30,000 employees worldwide, holding ~10,000 patents in seeds, crop protection, and agricultural solutions.
Guided by a legacy of innovation and responsibility, Syngenta continues to pioneer nature-inspired solutions that improve yields while protecting the planet. Their customers are at the heart of everything they do and drives their mission to feed a growing population while safeguarding natural resources for generations to come.
Why WSI, why now
In 2013, Syngenta began rethinking its U.S. warehouse network to better align with its Integrated Crop Strategy. With the majority of crop protection and seed demand located in the Midwest, the company recognized the need for a central hub that could serve customers faster, reduce transportation costs, and improve supply chain efficiency. There was also the need to handle seasonal surges and strict compliance for major B2B accounts.
But the road was far from straightforward. Over the years, mergers, organizational changes, and evolving industry pressures reshaped the project several times. By 2018, Syngenta turned to a proven partner. Having already worked with WSI in specialized crop facilities, the company trusted WSI to take the lead on designing and operating a new strategically located greenfield distribution center with integrated services: land, labor, layout, and systems.
The choice of WSI was as much about trust as it was about capability. Syngenta needed a chemical logistics partner who could manage a long, complex project, from site selection to construction to operational startup, while staying patient and flexible through changes in scope. Vikrant Rai, Manager of Operations Strategy at Syngenta, said, “They are not just executors but true collaborative partners who proactively surface challenges and work with us on solutions.”
WSI managed the contract warehousing project end-to-end: identifying land within demand zone, overseeing design and layout, and staffing and integrating systems that would power the new facility. In October 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the Council Bluffs site went live. And what began as a finished goods distribution center quickly expanded into a free trade zone operation with international shipping capabilities.
Innovation under pressure
Launching during the most volatile period in modern supply chain history put the partnership to the test. However, Cassandra Coon, Regional Category Manager at Syngenta, said, “How WSI reacted during some of the rockier times really showed their commitment to the relationship.” Yet Council Bluffs not only opened on time but also immediately began driving value.
Double-digit growth followed, with the facility ranking among the best in Syngenta’s U.S. network for on time performance and inventory accuracy. “We’ve seen time and time again that the management there is doing a great job. Safety, cleanliness, organization—it’s a really well-run ship,” said Mandy Johnson, Transportation Manager at Syngenta.
Safety scores were consistently high, and incident rates remained among the lowest of any site. Perhaps most importantly, WSI helped Syngenta expand from domestic-only distribution to supporting free trade zone operations and imports and exports.
A hub that delivers
Today, Syngenta’s dedicated WSI facility stands as more than just a warehouse. It is a strategic hub that strengthens Syngenta’s ability to serve U.S. farmers and customers with reliability and speed. Rai said, “WSI perform very well because they manage our highest inventory volumes with great on-time performance and strong safety results.”
For Syngenta, WSI has helped drive:
- End-to-end development from land acquisition and layout design to staffing and systems for a new central distribution hub
- Double-digit growth during COVID despite global supply chain challenges
- Domestic-only to international shipments from the same site
- On-time performance and inventory accuracy ranked among the highest in the U.S. network
- Leading high safety scores and low incident rates
What sets WSI apart
WSI’s role in Syngenta’s supply chain goes far beyond day-to-day warehousing. What differentiates WSI is a combination of
foresight, adaptability, and operational discipline that ensures
resilience even in the most complex environments.
WSI brings proactive problem-solving, identifying potential issues before they disrupt operations and collaborating on solutions that keep the network moving. Their adaptability was proven during the pandemic, when volatility and sudden demand spikes tested supply chains worldwide. With integrated capabilities that bring warehousing, shuttle operations, compliance, and FTZ management under one roof, Syngenta benefits from both efficiency and transparency. And with scalable infrastructure designed to grow alongside Syngenta, WSI has positioned the facility as more than a warehouse; it’s a central hub built for today and ready for tomorrow.
What’s next for Syngenta and WSI
Looking ahead, Syngenta plans to deepen Council Bluff’s role as its central U.S. hub. Together with WSI, the focus will be on expanding services, integrating new innovations in compliance and technology, and maintaining the flexibility required to navigate an increasingly complex global supply chain.
About the Author
Alyssa Wolfe
Alyssa Wolfe is a content strategist, storyteller, and creative and content lead with over a decade of experience shaping brand narratives across industries including retail, travel, logistics, fintech, SaaS, B2C, and B2B services. She specializes in turning complex ideas into clear, human-centered content that connects, informs, and inspires. With a background in journalism, marketing, and digital strategy, Alyssa brings a sharp editorial eye and a collaborative spirit to every project. Her work spans thought leadership, executive ghostwriting, brand messaging, and educational content—all grounded in a deep understanding of audience needs and business goals. Alyssa is passionate about the power of language to drive clarity and change, and she believes the best content not only tells a story, but builds trust and sparks action.
