Man’s best friend
Safeway Logistics is a trusted expert in the transportation of museum quality artwork by major sculptors and artists from around the world. Most recently, our Specialty Flatbed division moved “Your Dog”, a 9′ fiberglass sculpture by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, nearly 3,000 miles from the Polich Tallix Foundry in Walden, NY to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, CA.
The right resources for the job
Locating the right equipment for the job is always our first priority, and this job presented unique requirements. “Coordinating all the right tools was a sizeable logistical challenge,” said Matt Leitz, General Manager, Specialty Flatbed. “Flatbeds, in general, have much lower availability than vans in the industry. Specialized trailers are even more challenging to locate in the right place at the right time, but it’s a task we excel at.”
The load date, the Monday after Thanksgiving, presented another challenge: scheduling all the resources around a four-day holiday. With Safeway Logistics’ forty years of experience with this type of careful planning and our incredible network of providers, everything needed for the job was located quickly and planning proceeded without delay.
Preparing for the journey
The sculpture was inspected and packed in a custom crate which was also carefully examined. The crate and sculpture were photographed to document their condition. Inspecting specialty crates like these is a vital step so that we can recommend repairs or improvements when necessary.
“This type of project requires a special type of professional driver,” said Matt. “One who understands that extraordinary shipments need meticulous preparation. Sean Duprat is that kind of driver.”
As a veteran (and claim-free) Safeway driver, Sean is well-versed in all of the procedures needed to ensure precious objects like “Your Dog” reach their destinations safely. Double-checking the dimensions of the crate, he verified that it met all legal limits for safe transport. At a whopping 18′ x 8′ x 11′, there was no room for error. Sean also secured a custom-made tarp large enough to provide cover for the massive crate. The shipment rolled out aboard an air-ride, double-drop lowboy trailer, secure and on time.
Thanks to Sean’s efforts and Safeway Logistics’ ongoing commitment to safe, quality transport, Yoshitomo Nara’s sculpture now stands guard outside of the museum for all to enjoy.
Put our experience to work for you
Experience our dedication to quality specialty transport and customer satisfaction first hand. Put Safeway Logistics’ long history of innovative custom solutions and our expansive network of service providers to work for you. Call us at 800-545-2899 7 AM to 6 PM ET, Monday through Friday, or email blog@safewaylogisticsus.com.
To contact our Specialty Flatbed division directly, call 317-222-7420.