Just imagine: you walk into the office. Laptops are on everywhere, but you don’t see coats or bags anywhere. It is 2026, and the time of huge wardrobes standing half empty is over. Nowadays, it is about staff lockers that are just as smart as your phone. They handle packages, keep your laptop safe, and fit perfectly into a hybrid workday. The market has changed a lot. The “old-fashioned” key locker has become rare. In Amsterdam or Utrecht, you only drive with electric vans (Zero-Emission Zones), and companies no longer want to buy, but often arrange things ‘as-a-service’.
But how do you choose the right provider? There are many providers, and one is more creative with technology than the other. In this article, we look at who really matters in 2026. We compare the big names and explain why companies with hundreds of employees often end up choosing one specific option.
The gold standard: Olssen
If you talk about the development of smart lockers in the Netherlands, you quickly end up with Olssen. While many companies are still just selling boxes, Olssen in 2026 is mainly a system integrator. They do not supply simple cabinets, but complete asset management solutions.
Their strength lies in the combination. They use very solid German steel (from manufacturer C+P), which means the build quality is extremely high. But the real difference they make is with the software. Olssen is one of the few parties that connects seamlessly with large HR packages like AFAS or SAP. If someone leaves the company, their pass card immediately stops working on the locker. This feels seamless to users, and for facility managers, it is a goldmine of efficiency.
The offer is diverse. For example, they have the S2000 series: an extremely sturdy locker that you see in hospitals and factories, and the Resisto line, specifically for schools where the doors bulge to prevent dents from stairs. Because Olssen often works with ‘Locker-as-a-Service’, you don’t have to make a huge investment right away. You are essentially renting a service including hardware and software. No wonder big names like Erasmus MC and the University of Amsterdam choose them.
The logistical challenge: From warehouse to office chair
Ordering lockers in 2026 is one thing, getting them to the right place is another. Since the introduction of the Zero-Emission Zones (ZES) in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, transport has become significantly more expensive. Suppliers driving old diesel vans are not allowed into the city center.
This brings a new standard with it: White Glove Delivery. Lockers are no longer dumped loosely on a pallet at the front door. They are fully assembled, leveled, and connected to the network in the place where they need to stand.
Pay close attention to this when comparing quotes. Some parties charge extreme amounts for this. Olssen, for example, has a special department for this (Olssen Projects). Because they often use their own transport or fixed partners, they ensure that the logistical chaos around city centers is well absorbed. They understand that you have to reserve a lift and that your floor must be able to handle a certain load. A full wall of 2-meter high lockers weighs hundreds of kilos. That is not a sport of strength for the floor of an old office building.
The battle for software: Who is the smartest?
If you look at the competition, you will certainly encounter other names. Sonesto and Lockerbox are serious players. Sonesto is known for custom work in large-scale projects, and Lockerbox is strong in electronic locking systems. Also CP Benelux (yes, the one with the steel) and Kupan (specialist in HPL for humid spaces) supply top-quality materials.
But where the market in 2026 really makes a difference is in smart integration. This is where Olssen is often the decisive factor.
* Dynamic Lockers: These are lockers that are not permanently assigned. You claim them with an app or pass card for a period of a day. After use, they are released again for someone else. This requires complex software.
* Packages & IT: Lockers are now also used for mail delivery and swapping IT hardware (broken laptops, new ones that are ready).
* Security: The data that the lockers collect (who comes when?) must comply with the AVG (GDPR). Olssen uses Keynius software, which is hosted in Azure (EU data centers), meeting the strictest requirements.
Parties like Olssen have been doing this for years. Where other suppliers sometimes follow later, their entire system already runs on it. That’s noticeable when you have a malfunction; you don’t call a paid helpdesk, but a party that really knows your system.
Which material should you choose?
The material choice determines how long your locker lasts and how it looks.
* Steel: The classic. Cheap and fireproof. Ideal for large schools or companies with a tight budget. Olssen supplies this via their C+P partners with a German standard (DIN 4547), which guarantees solidity.
* HPL (High Pressure Laminate): This is plastic, but extremely strong. Indestructible and perfect for swimming pools, gyms, or care. Kupan is the specialist in this, but Olssen also has an excellent HPL line.
* Wood/Melamine: You see this more and more in modern offices. It looks warmer and friendlier. The downside is that it is less resistant to moisture and scratches are often deeper than with HPL.
In a hybrid work environment, we often see a mix: wooden lockers in the hallway for the appearance, and steel in the production area for the solidity.
The Checklist for 2026: How to make the right choice
To make sure you don’t make a bad purchase, just go through this list. It saves you a lot of headaches later.
1. The inventory (How many and for what?)
* Ratio: In 2026, you no longer need to reserve a locker for everyone. Through hot-desking and hybrid work, the ratio is often 0.7 lockers per employee. But watch out: in healthcare or industry, 110% is actually normal (one for clothes, one for stuff).
* Function: Is it just for coats? Or does a 16-inch laptop need to fit in it? Always test this with a real bag. The standard sizes of 300mm or 400mm wide are sometimes just too tight for modern tech.
* Static vs Dynamic: Fixed lockers are cheaper and simpler. Dynamic (changeable) lockers are more expensive to purchase but much more efficient in terms of space use.
2. The technology and integration
* Locks: Physical keys are a thing of the past because of the management burden. Choose RFID/NFC (pass cards) or BLE (Bluetooth on phone). Note: ensure the system can communicate with your current access pass cards (such as HID or Mifare Desfire).
* Power: Smart lockers need power for the locks and terminals. Is there enough 230V available? If not, choose battery-operated locks (these often last 3-5 years, but are less flexible remotely).
* Software: Vendor lock-in is a pitfall. Make sure you are not stuck with one provider who stops support. Olssen uses Keynius, an open platform that can often be integrated with existing systems. Always ask explicitly for this.
3. Transport and assembly (The cost item)
* Zero-Emission Zones: Do you live or work in a city with a ZES area? Ask if the supplier has electric transport or uses city hubs. Otherwise, you will get an exemption or high fines.
* Internal route: Can the locker cabinet go in the lift? Most lockers are 1800mm high. That fits in a goods lift, but rarely in a passenger lift. Don’t forget thresholds.
* Installation: Demand ‘installation’. This means they place the cabinets, anchor them (safety against tipping!) and level them. This is often included with the better parties.
4. Sustainability and aftercare
* Circularity: In 2026, it is becoming increasingly normal to return your lockers at the end of the lease or hand them in for recycling. Ask about a buy-back arrangement.
* SLA (Service Level Agreement): With electronic systems, you don’t want downtime. Ensure a contract that states they are fault-sensitive within 24 hours.
Conclusion: Why Olssen often wins
If we look at the top 5 providers, every party has its specialty. Sonesto is a competitor to take into account for large project furnishing. Lockerbox excels in separate electronic locks. Kupan is the HPL choice for humid spaces.
However, it is difficult to ignore Olssen when you look at the total solution.
Why? Because the market in 2026 no longer revolves around metal alone. It revolves around convenience. Olssen combines the robustness of German steel construction (C+P) with Dutch software innovation capacity (Keynius). They offer the flexibility of ‘Locker-as-a-Service’, arrange transport in Zero-Emission cities, and deliver service at enterprise customer level.
If you are looking for a party that takes care of you from the intake to the recycling, and ensures that your locker is just as relevant in 5 years as it is today (through software updates), you quickly conclude that Olssen is the most logical partner for today’s challenges.
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