Justus Klüver-Schlotfeldt, co-founder of Nex Network, shares how his journey from retail trainee to tech-driven logistics strategist led to a new kind of global network.
Justus began his career at Karstadt, Germany’s largest retailer. His move to Norway led him to work as a customs broker at the EU border, where he discovered a passion for international trade. Returning to Germany, he managed Amazon EU’s brokerage account and expanded operations across several countries, blending customs compliance, freight forwarding and fulfillment expertise. "The fact that I was able to learn multiple angles of the supply chain fascinated me," he shared.
Eventually, his path intersected with Rudy Bertie, founder of Customs Limited UK. Initially an advisor, Justus soon co-founded Nex Network alongside Bertie and Christos Spyrou. The motivation was clear: traditional freight networks were not built for modern cross-border e-commerce, and a new model was needed. "We realized that there was no true network focused on B2C and real e-commerce needs," he explained.
Most existing logistics networks didn’t serve the needs of e-commerce. Freight forwarders claimed to do e-commerce but lacked understanding of B2C flows, compliance and final-mile delivery. Justus recognized a gap for a network that combined visibility, accountability and flexibility. "Many claimed they were doing e-commerce logistics, but didn’t understand what it truly meant," he said.
Nex became that network, providing transparency, quality control and a full ecosystem that spans customs, fulfillment and last-mile delivery. Instead of relying on global integrators, businesses can now work with vetted local experts. For retailers, this means knowing exactly who’s moving their shipments and being able to adjust based on performance.
The Nex Network ecosystem is built on four pillars:
The platform offers full shipment visibility, financial protection and access to certified providers. Justus explains that members aren’t just clients, they’re part of a trusted community that shares knowledge and business opportunities.
To maintain quality, Nex limits its global partner slots per region and vertical. New members go through a vetting process that includes case studies, compliance checks and background research. The process is designed to ensure only experienced, reliable partners join the core network.
The success of Nex relies on active participation. As Justus explains, “You don’t get value from just paying the membership fee. You need to engage.” The most successful members attend events, share leads and continuously provide feedback. Nex regularly gathers insights from members through email campaigns, platform surveys and post-event feedback to refine and improve its offering. "We get about a 25% engagement rate on our outreach," Justus said.
The company’s structure has adapted to its rapid growth. Each business unit has its own leadership to maintain focus and momentum. Membership fees are scaled based on turnover and country location, ensuring fair access regardless of size. "We cannot charge a Nigerian company the same as a German one. It must be fair," he noted.
According to Justus, three trends will shape the future. First, the continued rise of in-app shopping will drive demand for faster and more integrated fulfillment models. "Platforms like TikTok Shop are already influencing the supply chain," he said. Second, AI will play a larger role in personalization, customer support and logistics efficiency. Third, airlines and ground handlers are beginning to invest heavily in e-commerce logistics, positioning themselves as end-to-end providers. "We are already seeing Turkish Airlines and Emirates entering the logistics space directly," Justus warned.
In response, Nex is aiming to become the leading neutral, technology-driven alternative. Its neutrality, transparency and decentralized structure offer a viable path for retailers and logistics partners who want more control and collaboration.
“When you think cross-border e-commerce, we want NeX to be the first name that comes to mind,” Justus concludes. “We’re not just building a network, we’re shaping the future of global e-commerce logistics.”
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
