High-Value Object Protection in Cadogan Tate’s Warehouses

The Problem

Cadogan Tate Fine Art provides a complete service covering the transportation, storage, international shipping, installation and display of works of every kind, for dealers, collectors, artists and curators around the world. Their storage facility based in South London is cleared by the National Security Advisor to store works from the UK National Collections.

In 2008 their facilities and processes underwent intense scrutiny by Global Risk Partners, acting for AXA Art as part of their GRASP risk assessment project. The GRASP system evaluates warehouse and museum facilities, which store and handle high-value works of art, for their performance against a wide range of risk criteria.

In managing the physical security of works of art, they employ structured risk management procedures to guarantee complete client confidentiality. They also provide ongoing security awareness training for all staff, ensuring that procedures are constantly monitored and improved.

Their facilities also link directly to their own specialist art shipping and distribution network, ensuring that consignments remain under close control at every stage.

Business Challenge

Cadogan Tate Fine Arts wanted to provide a premium service for their clients that goes above and beyond the standard secure art storage service.

  • The storage facility is vast with many different rooms, so a hard-wired solution was not viable
  • Artworks can be moved frequently in the storage facility, so a fully flexible system was required
  • The artworks being stored are often in protective wooden crates, some even climate-controlled, making “line of sight” systems unusable
  • The artworks being stored come in different shapes and sizes: 2D paintings and prints to large more contemporary pieces
  • The system needed to be integrated with other intruder security systems with 24-hour monitoring.

The Solution

Fortecho Solutions installed their RFID system in a “high security” area that was set aside to oer additional services to premium clients.

  • Various paintings, sculptures and contemporary art are fitted with status, motion and micro-climate tags.
  • The tags can be swapped easily as different client artworks are monitored.
  • The Fortecho software is on the network: alarms can be monitored from numerous PCs, and those managers with privileges can swap and edit tag details and settings.
  • The RFID reader network is installed and tested to ensure good coverage in a warehouse situation.
 

ROI

  • Added value service for Cadogan Tate Fine Art clients.
  • Extra revenue stream for Cadogan Tate Fine Art.
  • Enhanced security.
  • Ease of monitoring individual artworks in a storage facility.
  • Integration with existing security systems.

Customer Comments

Needing a flexible, additional level of security for assets in our warehouses, we turned to Fortecho Industry. It’s an enormous relief for us knowing our clients’ assets are safe and secure.

Rohan Masson-Taylor, Founder & Chairman, Cadogan Fine Art
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