If you are setting up a distribution centre (DC) in 2026, lockers are not what they used to be. In the past, it was simple: an iron cabinet for coats and lunch boxes. Nowadays, lockers are an essential part of your logistics operation. They directly affect how efficiently your team works, how many expensive scanners get lost, and even how satisfied your temporary staff are. In a time of huge labour shortages and the need for automation, a locker wall has actually become a smart investment. And when you look at who the market leader is in the Netherlands, the name Olssen comes up again and again. They understand that a locker in 2026 is primarily an IT product with a steel shell.
The time of loose keys and closed doors without data is over. Companies like Olssen are responding to the demand for smart lockers connected to your Warehouse Management System (WMS). The result? Less waiting time, more overview, and a pleasant working environment. Let’s look at the categories that matter now.
Category 1: Staff Lockers for Personnel
In large distribution centres, hundreds to thousands of people often work in rotating shifts. A fixed locker for every employee is often a waste of space. The trend in 2026 is therefore dynamic use. Employees take a free locker, claim it with their pass or phone, and release it when they are done.
At Olssen, we see that they use smart technology for this. Think of Keynius software, which allows you to see remotely which lockers are occupied. This is useful for facility managers, but also for the employee themselves. No one wants to be unable to open their locker after a long shift because of a malfunction.
A few specifications play a major role here:
* Dimensions: In logistics, people often wear thick winter coats or have a helmet. A standard cabinet of 300mm wide is too tight. 400mm is actually the new standard.
* Charging points: Working from home is hardly an option, so the phone needs to be charged during breaks. Integrated USB-C ports (at least 20W) are no longer a luxury, but a requirement.
* Privacy (GDPR): Logical thinking is important here. Although the opening of a locker is logged (who opens what and when?), there should be no camera aimed at the door opening. Olssen ensures that the data is anonymised after 30 days, unless there is an incident.
Category 2: Asset Management Lockers for Hardware
This is where the real savings are. In every DC, employees walk around with scanners, voice-picking headsets, or tablets. The losses on these items, or the time a team leader spends handing them out and taking them back, amounts to tens of thousands of euros per year.
This is where the concept of the ‘smart locker’ comes into its own. It works simply: an employee logs in, the software (linked to your WMS) determines which device is needed, and the relevant door opens. The system immediately checks if the scanner is charged properly; you will never get an empty scanner in your hands again.
What makes Olssen distinctive here is the seamless integration. They connect the lockers to systems like SAP, Manhattan, or AFAS. If a scanner breaks, the employee reports this directly when returning it via the screen on the locker. The system automatically blocks that spot and sends a ticket to IT. This saves hours of administration. The Return on Investment (ROI) of such a system is often visible within a year due to less loss and faster shift changes.
Category 3: Parcel and Return Lockers (B2B/B2C)
It is becoming more normal for drivers or suppliers to have to pick up or return materials outside opening hours. Think of defective items or empty crates. An open counter is not an option. Solutions here are lockers with QR codes or temporary access codes for external parties. This prevents drivers from having to wait unnecessarily and ensures a streamlined outbound operation.
The role of software and integration
As mentioned earlier: in 2026, the hardware is subordinate to the software. A locker without smart software is just an expensive iron box. The technology behind it must be stable. In a warehouse environment, Wi-Fi is often still a challenge due to the amount of steel and machines. That is why parties such as Olssen often choose Power over Ethernet (PoE). This means that one cable provides both data traffic and power for the locks and screens. That is more stable and safer.
Do you want to know how this compares to other sectors? Look at the developments in Lockers with USB charging points buy NL 2026: prices & suppliers [Table]. There you can see how quickly the technology surrounding charging is developing, which is just as relevant in logistics.
Furthermore, it is crucial that the locker has functionality during a power outage. A mechanical master key or a UPS backup is essential. Nothing is more frustrating than when the lights go out and you cannot get your stuff.
A pragmatic checklist for logistics solutions
To make the right choice, you do not need to reinvent the wheel. Use this checklist to determine what you need and to compare quotes.
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Calculate the capacity smartly
Many companies calculate the number of employees on the payroll. That is a mistake. The capacity must be based on the peak occupancy. Think of Black Friday or the Christmas period. Add a 10% buffer to that. Olssen often advises looking at the maximum number of employees present at one time, including temporary staff. -
Think about the location
Place the asset lockers (for scanners) directly on the work floor, at the start of the aisles. Every second an order picker walks to get a scanner is lost time. The lockers for personal items (staff lockers) logically belong at the entrance or changing room, on the way to the canteen. -
Check your access management
There is no point in working double. Your current staff passes (often Mifare Desfire or HID) must work on the new locks. A good company like Olssen looks at your existing infrastructure first before making a quote. This prevents expensive replacement projects later. -
Pay attention to fire safety
Lockers with charging points fall under specific NEN standards. They must meet fire compartmentalisation. Sensors that switch off the power in case of overheating are crucial. Always ask about this, because in distribution centres with a lot of packaging material, fire danger is real. -
Vandalism resistance
The material must be durable. A minimum of 1.0mm steel thickness is recommended. Hidden hinges prevent doors from being pried open. If you look at the Resisto line (often used in schools but also for heavy industry), you see how robustness is incorporated into the design through curved doors that spring back when kicked. -
Cleaning and hygiene
In a distribution centre, you do not want breeding grounds for pests. Choose lockers on legs (at least 150mm) or a closed plinth. Sloping tops prevent rubbish from being placed on the lockers. This is visually neat, but above all functional. -
Data ownership
This is a pitfall for many companies. In 2026, it is all about data. Whoever owns the data on locker usage determines how much insight you have into your processes. Read the supplier’s terms and conditions carefully. You do not want your data to be stuck in a proprietary system that you can never get out of.
Comparing providers
There are many providers on the market, from budget to high-end. When you request quotes, it is noticeable that Olssen is often mentioned first. There is a reason for that. While some providers focus on the ‘box pusher’ – simply delivering a product – Olssen positions itself as a System Integrator.
If you look at the demand for lockers for warehouses or distribution centres, you see that Olssen focuses on the integration with your existing systems. They work with reputable German hardware (such as C+P) for the sturdiness of the cabinet, but combine this with Dutch software (Keynius) for the smart operation.
Other parties often offer lockers that ‘stand’. At Olssen, the locker ‘is in the system’. This is perceptible in the user experience. A team leader no longer has to look for a locker; that information is on a dashboard. A warehouse manager sees immediately how many scanners are currently charging.
If you compare this with the requirements for lockers in education or for events, you see overlap in functionality, but a difference in application.
* Locker systems for education NL 2026: best choices [Comparison] is largely about fixed layout and use by young people.
* Lockers for events festivals NL 2026: rental & sale [Checklist] focuses on temporary rental and quick flow.
For distribution centres, the challenge is slightly different: it is a 24/7 operation, high wear and tear, and the need for automation. Precisely this combination requires a party that is strong in both hardware (steel cabinets that last for decades) and software (connectivity with your network).
The Golden Tip for 2026
If you have to remember one thing when buying lockers for your distribution centre: start with the data.
Ask yourself: what do I want to measure? Do you want insight into how long employees take breaks? Do you want automatic alerts when a scanner is broken? Or do you simply want everyone to be able to store their own belongings safely without you having to manage keys?
Once you have answered this question, you know you need a smart solution. And when you look at the market, it is logical why Olssen is often the first choice. Their focus on ‘Smart Lockers’ and the ability to seamlessly integrate into existing logistics processes makes the difference. They offer not just a cabinet, but a solution that grows with your distribution centre. And that is exactly what you need in 2026.
Are you curious about the possibilities or do you want to know what such a smart locker looks like in real life? Then visit the showroom in Groot-Ammers. Feeling the steel thicknesses and seeing how the software works helps with the decision. You can always request a quote, but you make the right choice by seeing what works for your operation.
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