No-Hassle Art Shipping? We Asked Johan Skaar, CEO of Global Logistics Company YSDS, How He Aims to Shake up the Industry

Art shipping might not seem like the most cutting-edge or glamorous field, but Johan Skaar, the CEO of YSDS, a leading international logistics company, says there’s much more to shipping than crates and corner protectors in today’s day and age. YSDS prides itself on its high-tech networks that seamlessly provide unique logistics solutions for both the art and science communities. 

Skaar leads the company with over 15 years of experience in business development, sales, and marketing, centered around the logistics and service industries. Recently, we spoke with Skaar about all things logistics, from cost transparency to handpicking YSDS team members. 

If you were giving art collectors your elevator pitch, what would you say about YSDS Art in one or two sentences?
We’re an international logistics company that takes an innovative approach to move the world’s most valuable artwork with exceptional service and care. With teams in New York, Zürich, Geneva, Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Hong Kong, we’re challenging the art logistics industry with a combination of service, quality, and technology that provides galleries, auction houses, and art collectors with a transparent and reliable service, 24/7.

What can YSDS offer to art collectors that you think is of particular value?
We offer collectors full transparency around tracking and the costs associated with pick-up, crating, shipping and insurance before they purchase their artwork, giving them a comprehensive overview of all the different factors connected to shipping art. On top of this, we deliver their artwork in exact accordance with their needs and desires.

Who are some of the experts that you have on hand guiding your processes?
Every member of the YSDS Art staff has been hand-selected according to their experience, knowledge, and expertise. From crating to airfreight to specialized transit, the YSDS Art team ensures every artwork is handled with the utmost craftsmanship and care, and that it arrives safely and as expected. 

The YSDS website says it offers art consulting services that can tackle challenging projects. Can you elaborate on that?
We pride ourselves on finding solutions where others can’t. We’re a company that puts our clients first and finds unique and successful logistics solutions, meaning we’ll work to find a solution no matter the time requirements, destination, and artwork size.

Can you give us some details of your art storage options for art?
We offer bespoke solutions for both short- and long-term storage based on our client’s needs. In accordance with YSDS’ core value of putting our clients first, we work collaboratively with them to determine the best solution to store their collection.

What does YSDS have on the horizon for the coming months?
YSDS Art envisions a future where art shipping is no longer such a hassle. Our technical solutions are designed to bring transparency into a largely opaque industry and bring the power back into our client’s hands. 

Our most recent launch provides collectors with precise and instant shipping quotes, along with full tracking from pick-up to delivery. What we’re essentially doing is creating a “one-stop-shop” for our clients, giving them a full-service package of all the information they need regarding shipping in one place. This is so they can make the decisions that suit them best. Furthermore, YSDS Art is also a leading sponsor at this year’s Armory Show in New York this September.