German company behind Louvre heist lifting device uses robbery to advertise: “When you need to get going again quickly”

A German firm, Boecker Maschinenwerke GmbH, has found itself in the spotlight after thieves used one of its lifting devices in the recent audacious heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The heist, which took place on October 19, 2025, involved the theft of eight priceless jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon, including historic pieces such as a diamond-studded diadem and a gift from Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise.

Boecker, based near Dortmund, manufactures the Agilo, a truck-mounted electric hoist commonly used in Paris buildings for moving heavy items through upper-story windows or balconies.

The device used in the heist, called the Agilo, reportedly carries up to 400 kilograms and operates “as quiet as a whisper,” enabling the thieves to scale the Louvre’s first-floor balcony with minimal noise.

The theft itself lasted less than eight minutes, with the robbers gaining entry by cutting through a window and breaking display cases before making a swift escape.

In an unexpected twist, Boecker’s managing director Alexander Boecke told AFP that the company is taking a tongue-in-cheek approach to the unwanted attention by posting humorous ads on social media.

One such post showed a photo of the hoist truck outside the Louvre, captioned, “When you need to get going again quickly.” Boecke noted that the hoist was sold years ago to a French customer who rents such equipment across Paris and its suburbs.

He explained the thieves had requested a demonstration of the machine just a week prior to the robbery, during which they stole the device, removed customer labels, and replaced license plates before the heist.

Despite the humor in their online reactions, Boecke emphasized the gravity of the crime, calling it “absolutely reprehensible” and expressing relief that no one was harmed during the operation.

The Louvre heist investigations continue as French authorities have deployed over 60 investigators to track down the culprits. Security weaknesses in the museum prior to the heist have been acknowledged, leading to accelerated plans for improvements under President Emmanuel Macron’s directive.

The stolen items include multiple pieces from French royalty, such as the tiara, necklace, and earrings of Queen Maria Amalia and Queen Hortense, as well as the emerald necklace and earrings from Empress Marie Louise’s set. During their escape, the robbers dropped and damaged the Crown of Empress Eugénie. The total estimated value of the loot is around €88 million, but experts stress the loss to France’s cultural heritage is incalculable.