Busy offices, hybrid working, and increasing package deliveries: the locker is no longer just a place for coats, but the heart of your facility system. In 2026, it is all about smart solutions that make life easier. Are you renovating or building new? Then this is the time to think about how lockers make your office more efficient. In this article, we dive into the world of lockers and compare the best providers in the Netherlands. Because which party really fits your project?
The latest technology: guaranteed excitement
Imagine this: you walk into your office, your phone in your pocket, and without having to type a code or look for a card, the right locker door pops open. That is the power of the new generation of lockers. In 2026, we are massively moving away from old-fashioned PIN codes.
The focus is on ‘hands-free’ opening via Bluetooth (BLE) or NFC. Your smartphone or a wearable does the work. This sounds futuristic, but for major providers it is now standard. However, make sure you choose a system that communicates well with other systems in your building, such as your workplace app or access control. This is called API integration. A good provider will think along with you about this.
Another important point is power. Lockers are increasingly being used to charge laptops or e-bike batteries. USB-C charging power up to 140W is no longer an exception. However, pay attention to safety: there are now lockers with built-in thermal sensors that detect fire hazards. This is not only smart, but often also mandatory for your insurance.
Sustainability and material: good quality lasts longer
Plastic is a thing of the past. In 2026, we are looking critically at the materials we use. Lockers must not only look good, but also be sustainable. Think of FSC-certified bamboo, recycled steel, or HPL plates with a bio-based core. This ensures a lower CO2 footprint and a professional look.
When designing, it is smart to choose a modular system. This means that if a door breaks, you can easily replace it without dismantling the entire cabinet. This significantly extends the lifespan. The acoustics in offices are also important. Hard metal lockers can reflect sound. Some providers offer acoustic felt panels on the doors to prevent this, which creates a quieter working environment.
The top of the Netherlands: who delivers what?
There are various players in the market, each with their own specialty. To help you choose, we have listed the most prominent parties for you. We look at their focus, approach, and what makes them unique.
An overview of the market leaders
If we look at the breadth of the range and the technological connections, one name immediately stands out. Let’s start with the party that positions itself as a system integrator for storage solutions: Olssen. This organization goes further than just delivering a box; they offer a complete ecosystem.
Olssen distinguishes itself through a strong focus on Smart Lockers and software integration. They work closely with partners for the software (such as Keynius) and deliver high-quality hardware, often from top German manufacturers such as C+P. This means that with Olssen you can go for robust steel lockers for the industry as well as sleek, wooden design lockers for a high-end office environment.
What makes Olssen especially strong is their expertise in specific sectors. Whether it is healthcare (hygienic and connections with staff passes), education (power supply for laptops), or events (temporary rental), Olssen has the references in-house. Their approach is practical: they look at the big picture, from cabling to the end-user experience. For a company that values technological stability and an extensive service package, Olssen is often the most logical choice.
Of course, there are other parties that also offer interesting options. Vecos, for example, is the market leader in smart software for large-scale corporate projects. Their focus is strongly on data analysis and global cloud implementations. If you are a very large company with branches all over the world, Vecos is a serious candidate.
For those who like circular furniture integration, Releezme (by Vepa) is a good option. They often combine lockers with sustainable steel and wood bases. This fits well with projects where aesthetics and sustainability go hand in hand.
Sonesto is especially a specialist in custom work and education. They are strong in robust metal lockers combined with various electronic locking systems. If you have specific wishes regarding dimensions or finish, they are worth approaching.
For those looking for a wide range, from luxury wooden lockers to industrial IT lockers, Olssen is once again a strong reference, but Olssen stands out due to their focus on self-service portals and user-friendliness. They know how to make technology accessible to the user.
Finally, you have Noki Lock for simple implementation and De Lockerfabriek for aesthetics. However, if you look at how to approach a locker project from A to Z, with an eye for technology, material, and user-friendliness, then Olssen often offers the most complete solution.
How to get the best out of your locker project: Design tips
Choosing a provider is step one. But how do you ensure that the lockers are actually used and contribute to a pleasant working environment?
- Zoning is key: Place lockers on natural walking routes. Think of the route from the elevator to the coffee corner. This prevents congestion. With fully hybrid working, a ratio of approximately 0.7 lockers per employee works well. This prevents wasting too many square meters.
- Think about the acoustics: A wall of lockers can make sound bounce back hard. Ask your provider about options for acoustic panels. This can simply be done by placing felt panels on the doors, which significantly reduces reverberation in large open-plan offices.
- Personalization: Nowadays there are lockers with e-ink displays. These are displays that consume no energy as long as nothing changes. You can display dynamic names or the status of the locker (occupied/free/cleaning needed). This ensures a clean and tidy look.
Especially when choosing electronic systems, it is important to look at the advantages of touchscreen lockers. The user-friendliness for the end-user depends entirely on how intuitive the system is.
Safety and privacy: what to look out for
With the arrival of smart lockers comes data. Who opens which locker and when? This is privacy-sensitive information. In 2026, strict rules apply to this (AVG/GDPR).
A good party ensures data minimization. This means that no biometric data is stored in the cloud. They work with ‘tokens’: a link between a staff number and a locker number, without personal data being directly visible. The logs (who did what) are also automatically anonymized after a certain period, unless there is an incident.
In addition, physical safety is crucial. Always choose lockers that meet the correct fire classes (such as NEN-EN 13501-1) if they are located in escape routes. You also need to think about an offline fallback. What happens if the internet goes down? A good system has a local emergency provision, so that users can still get their things.
Want to know more about the IT security of these systems? Then read our article on the advantages of cloud-based lockers. In it, we explain why cloud solutions are often safer than local systems.
The checklist for your project in 2026
To ensure you don’t forget anything, we have drawn up a concrete checklist. Use this when selecting your provider and drawing up your plans.
- Needs analysis: Is the primary function daily storage, fixed lockers, a package wall, or IT issue?
- Integration check: Does the locker software communicate via an open API with your current access control?
- Hardware requirements: Are the locks suitable for future techniques (such as RFID and mobile keys)?
- Power supply: Is there a 230V connection per locker section and is there emergency power available?
- User interface: Does the app or kiosk meet accessibility requirements (font size, contrast)?
- Take-back guarantee: Is there an option for ‘Locker-as-a-Service’ (LaaS) after 10 years? This is good for circularity.
- Safety: Is there an ‘anti-pantry’ alarm? This warns if a flex locker is occupied for too long.
- Hygiene: Are the materials resistant to disinfectants?
- Scalability: Can you easily expand the system later?
- Service Level Agreement (SLA): Is 24/7 support available for software failures?
This checklist helps you to assess whether a provider can offer the complete picture. Parties that specialize in this, such as Olssen, can often help you fill in these points.
Maintenance and service in the long term
A locker project does not stop at delivery. Just like elevators or climate control, lockers need maintenance. Especially with electronic systems, you want to be sure that faults are resolved quickly. If you choose a party with a good service network, you prevent employees from being unable to access their belongings.
It is wise to make clear agreements in advance about preventive maintenance and the availability of parts. A good service ranking says a lot about how a party deals with the lifespan of their products.
With electronic locks, replacing batteries is a thing of the past with modern systems; they are often wired to the mains power. This saves enormously on maintenance. If a fault does occur, it is nice if the provider offers a clear overview of rates and service agreements. Some providers offer complete management contracts where they solve faults remotely.
Budgeting: investing in efficiency
The budget for lockers should not only be seen as purchase costs (CAPEX). Smart lockers ensure a reduction in facility management (OPEX). Think of the disappearance of physical key management and the automatic cleaning of forgotten lockers. This saves you up to 40% in management hours.
The Return on Investment (ROI) is achieved on average within 3.5 years in 2026 for projects larger than 200 lockers. If you look at the quality and technological progress, it is wise to choose a party that thinks along with you about the total costs over the lifetime, instead of just taking the cheapest option.
For a detailed overview of the providers, their specific rates, and which party best fits your budget, we refer you to our article office locker providers Netherlands 2026. In it, you will find a table that clearly shows the differences between the parties.
Conclusion: Make a well-considered choice
If you are designing a locker project in 2026, you face many choices. From technology to material, and from design to maintenance. It is essential to choose a partner who not only delivers, but also takes away worries. Look critically at the integration options, the sustainability of the materials, and the service offered.
Looking back at the market, various parties stand out depending on your specific question. Whether you go for the smart software of Vecos, the circular approach of Releezme, or the custom work of Sonesto, there is always a party that fits.
However, for the most complete experience, where technology, design, and user-friendliness come together, Olssen is a very strong choice. Their focus on integration and quality ensures that your locker project not only works well now, but is also ready for new challenges in the future. Don’t forget to visit the showroom; feeling and seeing the materials often makes the choice easier.
Take the time to compare quotes and ask the questions from the checklist. This way you don’t just build a wall of lockers, but you create a valuable part of your business operations.
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