Eleven teams of logistics personnel — more than 100 people — competed in Suffolk’s newest warehouse facility on Thursday during the fourth annual Hampton Roads LogistXGames. Givens Inc. took home the first-place trophy, but Suffolk was once again the big winner.

The games raise money for workforce development programs offered by Paul D. Camp and Tidewater Community colleges, and they spotlight the talent and skills of the folks who are charged with packing and shipping the many products that pass through the various warehousing and distribution facilities in Suffolk and other parts of Hampton Roads.

Challenges included assembling, labeling and stacking boxes; weaving loaded pallet jacks through an obstacle course; and the always popular — but, thankfully, not representative of the job — box toss.

Participants enjoyed having their colleagues cheering for them from the sidelines, and the competitive nature of the event encouraged a collegial atmosphere even between teams.

The competition took place in a new 284,580-square-foot building built at the Virginia Regional Commerce Park by Panatoni Development. Officials say this is the first speculative project built in Hampton Roads since 2008, which suggests that the effects of the great recession may finally have been left behind.

It’s fitting that the logistics industry is at the forefront of this economic renaissance, as shipping is a bellwether for manufacturing, retail and commercial growth. And it’s fitting that Suffolk is leading the charge here, because the city is fast becoming the commonwealth’s leader in this important industry. Given those facts, there was no better place to hold this event that at Suffolk’s newest logistics facility.

It will be interesting to see what companies take advantage of this new space, and we would not be surprised if some of those folks who participated in Thursday’s competition wind up finding themselves new employment there. Welcome to Suffolk.