Having already proven their abilities through several art removal projects over the past 5 years, AGS’ team in Guadeloupe have become accustomed to this type of assignment.

Conducted as part of the construction of the Memorial ACTe, the recent operation emphasized AGS’ commitment to the quality of the specialized packaging required for the transport of artwork.

Particularly delicate in terms of handling and lasting for over 10 days, the project entailed 40 m3 of collectibles, sculptures, paintings, archaeological items, books, and other objects being carefully packed. These were then transferred from Guadeloupe’s regional headquarters to the Memorial ACTe, where they were unpacked and installed.

Specialised packing techniques

“Works of art require specific attention – especially ceramics, earthenware and old manuscripts which have to be packed into protective crates,” explains François Chataigne, AGS Guadeloupe’s Branch Manager.

To protect artworks during handling, specialised packaging is prepared. The construction of tailor-made protective crates and the use of polystyrene boards are keys phases for their packaging. The layout and loading of protective crates and boxes inside the truck are also major components of the preparation required for transfer.

Excelling through technical expertise

During this operation, three 40-foot containers – arriving from Paris and containing archived documents, icons and artworks – were received and unpacked on-site by AGS Guadeloupe’s team. This included two large-scale collection pieces that required particularly special care: The tree of oblivion from Pascale Marthine Tayou; and a marine anchor.

While the anchor had to be carefully positioned near the Memorial ACTe’s entrance, the second installation was even more delicate. It required a 6m-long tree trunk being erected vertically within the museum’s scenic route, in a small 8m² room. Positioning the tree, weighing more than a ton, required all the ingenuity of AGS Guadeloupe’s team!

“AGS Guadeloupe is honoured to play an important role in the protection and dissemination of the cultural heritage of our island through this project,” adds François. “We also look forward to offering our specialised support during similar projects in the future.”

He reveals that AGS Guadeloupe has already been contracted for another art moving operation in Guadeloupe for 2016.

We wish AGS Guadeloupe every success, and are confident that they will once again demonstrate AGS’ commitment to quality packaging and handling. To request a free quote for your future art removal, follow this link. 

Read More: Professional Packing Services

Photos credits: Fonds M.ACTe, Collection Région Guadeloupe

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Over the course of an epic 23 days, Andro and four friends traveled north through Southern Africa from the Put Foot Rally’s start in Cape Town: across South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and ending at the rally’s finish line at a resort in Inhambane, Mozambique.

The 2015 Put Foot Rally saw around 160 like-minded people forming 54 separate crews, travelling through the same countries and reuniting at designated meeting points in each … but free to determine their own routes and travel at their own pace.

“One of the goals of the Put Foot Rally is to break down the stigma that Africa is not accessible,” explains Andro. “After only changing the filters in our 1987 Volkswagen Combi, we travelled the whole way without even getting a tyre puncture!”

Another objective of the Put Foot Rally is to support local communities, and 2015 was the first year that it had two charities: the Put Foot Foundation (supported since the inception of the rally five years ago) and the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage.

The rally participants also donated school shoes and stationery to over 450 school children – some of which had never owned a pair of shoes before – from Okaukuejo Primary School in Namibia’s Etosha National Park.

Andro lists the donations to the Namibian school children as an undeniable highlight of a journey filled with them: a visit to the Fish River Canyon, the Etosha Salt Pan, the Caprivi Strip, the Victoria Falls and even white water rafting along the Zambezi!

AGS Movers Cape Town also made a sizeable donation towards the Put Foot Foundation, and was represented on the rally through both Andro’s presence and branding on his team’s vehicle.

“I saw a video on YouTube a couple of years ago and decided that I wanted to travel Southern Africa – so close to home, but yet so far out of reach,” recalls Andro.

“I set about telling my friends about the Put Foot Rally, and once we had enough team members so came a year’s planning and the rest is history.”

When asked whether he’d participate in the Put Foot Rally again, Andro’s answer is confident: “I would do anything to do this again. Africa is a beautiful place.”

Photo credits: Photos supplied by Justin Lee Photography (lead image and shoe drop) and Andro du Plessis

By rapidly responding to the client’s needs and putting forward innovative solutions, AGS Nice’s Branch Manager, Laurent Bedleem, and his team took on this challenge with professionalism and brought great satisfaction to both yachts’ owners.

Following the sale of ‘Ocean Victory’ (76m long), her former owner acquired a brand new yacht of twice the length – (140m) – ‘Project Victory’. These state-of-the-art private leisure yachts are well-renowned internationally, with crews managed by Antibes-based Camper & Nicholson. To this day, Project Victory is reported to be the biggest yacht ever constructed in La Spezia.

It is no coincidence that Project Victory’s new owner chose AGS for this operation: he made his decision based on the quality of AGS’ proffesional packing, value and the comprehensive set of solutions offered by AGS Nice.

Operation Overview

Chris Bentley (one of Ocean Victory’s captains) asked AGS to prepare a pre-move survey while the yacht was docked at the port of Monaco for a prominent yacht show.
On September 29 the removal commenced, as goods from Ocean Victory were packed; loaded into AGS’ European Liftvans and transported to a bonded warehouse in La Spezia. By October 3, all goods were safely in secure storage.

“Everything went as planned and was carried out smoothly,”

Laurent explains.

“The job was done in an exemplary manner.”

This operation concluded successfully on December 11 with a final delivery to the new yacht, Project Victory.

AGS looks forward to similar removals of this nature, and – keeping with the nautical theme – we wish fair winds to both yachts and the whole team!

AGS expertly moved air trunks packed with the Moulin Rouge’s costumes and equipment through Mumbai and New Delhi, before returning them to Paris. With the assistance of AGS Movers India, AGS France was able to negotiate the entry of the delicate outfits.
AGS organised the air shipments of the five trunks of costumes to arrive early in India, allowing them time to clear customs and be delivered in advance for the Mumbai show followed only 2 days later by a show in New Delhi.

AGS’ renowned service was executed at such an outstanding level thanks to Nacima Boukhalfa and Isabelle Bax at AGS Movers Paris, and the skilful coordination of Vineet Walimbe amongst others at AGS Movers India. The performances of the Moulin Rouge were highly successful and as a French family-owned company, AGS is especially proud to be associated with the iconic cabaret.

We wish them all the best in their future performances. À la vôtre!