By February 1968, Phillip T. Catalano, Manager for Traffic & Distribution at Steelcase, Inc. of Grand Rapids, had assumed the position as Chairman of a committee within the Grand Rapids Transportation Club, to study moving “La Grande Vitesse” to Grand Rapids. This included exploration of transportation options and costs for moving the 42 tons of Alexander Calder’s unconstructed sculpture from the specific port of entry.

A press release of March 12, 1969 announced that Catalano would chair a subsequent committee to handle the actual transport, supported by a host of services donated by Club members. On May 6, 1969, the steel arrived at the Detroit Harbor. Five firms with members in the Grand Rapids Transportation Club provided five large tractor-trailer combination vehicles and crew, plus support staff. Special permits were required to transport the oversized load over Michigan highways, from the Harbor to the Vanderberg Center in downtown Grand Rapids, where it was to be erected. A speech, which Catalano gave to the Transportation Club in the fall of 1969, chronicles his adventures in this capacity. His document “Notes on Calder Sculpture Project, Apr. 29, 1969,” also provides names and details of the intense delivery time period between May 1-6, 1969. After delivery the sculpture was constructed at the Vanderberg Plaza by Haven-Busch Company, iron workers.

Little is currently known about Mr. Catalano, outside of the context of this project. A 1984 letter in these files shows Catalano still in his position at Steelcase at that time. A business card in these files names Catalano as Executive Director for Marketing & Sales for Southern Furniture Transport, Inc., Orlando, Florida giving a Grand Rapids phone number. An article, added to this collection, from the Grand Rapids Press Flair section documents Catalano’s efforts to save the USS Des Moines, the vessel upon which he served during World War II.