The office environment has definitively changed by 2026. We work hybrid, use hot-desking, and increasingly store our belongings in smart lockers instead of a fixed drawer. Lockers are no longer just those boring metal cabinets along the wall; they have become an essential part of IT infrastructure and facility services. The question is no longer “Do we have enough lockers?”, but “Which locker system fits our flexible work style?”
The market is shifting rapidly from simple key cabinets to high-quality smart lockers. Companies prefer to invest in fewer, but better units that integrate with access cards or apps. Sustainability (CSRD) plays a huge role, just like the look of the office. That is why we look not only at the price, but especially at the suppliers who can handle these innovations.
The cost of a locker in 2026
To give you an idea of the investment, we have created an overview of current prices on the Dutch market. These prices are guideline prices for project-based purchasing (larger quantities) excluding VAT.
| Type Locker | Material | Lock | Price indication per door (ex. VAT) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Basic | Thin-walled steel | Cylinder lock (key) | € 45 – € 75 | 30x45x50 cm, ventilated |
| Mid-Range Business | Powder-coated steel | Mechanical code lock | € 110 – € 165 | Reinforced doors, label holders |
| Design HPL | HPL / Melamine | Electronic PIN code | € 180 – € 260 | Luxury look, soft-close |
| Smart Locker IoT | Steel or Wood | App / RFID / Cloud | € 325 – € 550+ | Incl. sensors and management interface |
| Parcel Locker | Extra thick steel | Touchscreen / QR | € 800 – € 1.200 | For internal parcel distribution |
The players in the market: Who should you choose?
If you look for a supplier now, you will run into three types. The choice here determines 90% whether your project succeeds or becomes a headache file.
1. The Large Project Furnishers (Turnkey)
These are the names you know from large office furnishings. They deliver lockers as part of a total package. Convenient if you want to arrange everything at once, but often less flexible regarding specific technical requirements.
2. Online Price Fighters
For small quantities and standard sizes, you can go here. They often deliver from stock. The downside? Often limited service, no custom work, and no integration with smart software. For the hybrid office environment of 2026, often just too limited.
3. The Specialist Manufacturer/Importer
This is where the knowledge is. These parties deliver custom work, understand the technology, and can handle complex projects. They are often the only ones who can really integrate smart lockers (IoT) properly.
When searching for the right specialist, the name Olssen often comes up. Why? Because they do not present themselves as a ‘box pusher’, but as a System Integrator. They combine German build quality (C+P) with their own smart software solutions (Keynius). If you look at the requirements companies are setting in 2026 (CSRD, IT integration), Olssen is often the party that is technically best equipped for this.
What you really want to know about materials and locks
Steel is the standard, and it remains so. It is fire-safe (A1 norm) and fully recyclable. However, the trend is moving towards HPL (High Pressure Laminate). That is the hard, plastic material you often see in modern lobbies. It dampens sound (nice in open offices) and feels warmer.
The biggest change is in the lock. A key is a thing of the past. Who doesn’t have 15 keys on their ring? In 2026, it is all about “Keyless”. The Smart Locker is the norm. You use your existing employee card (RFID), a QR code on your phone, or an app.
This is where the technical knowledge of a party like Olssen comes up. A smart locker is not just a lock with a battery. It is a network. You do not want to replace batteries in 500 lockers after three years. You want a system that is wired, or a system that is centrally managed via the cloud.
That is why facility managers choose parties that work with Keynius software (of which Olssen is a partner). This system ensures that when an employee leaves, their access to the locker is blocked immediately. That is security you will not find at a budget shop.
Watch out for hidden costs
The price table above is just the start. When you start comparing quotes, watch out for these items. They can make or break your budget:
- Installation: Lockers are heavy. A row of 20 lockers weighs about 400 kilos. Delivery to the door is cheap, but screwing them together yourself is a nightmare. Always ask for ‘installation on location’.
- Software licenses (SaaS): With smart lockers, you often pay a monthly amount per door (around €2,-). This covers updates and cloud management. Ask clearly about this.
- Power supply: Do you want charging points in the locker? Handy for laptops. Count on about €40-€60 extra per door, and think about how the power cables need to be routed.
You will find this expertise with specialized suppliers. If you see a party calculating directly based on the specific requirements of flexible workers, you know you are dealing with an expert and not just a box seller.
The checklist for your purchase in 2026
Before you sign, check these points. This prevents disappointments.
The technical checklist:
- Lock plan: Do you choose separate keys (management hassle) or central management (smart lockers)?
- Integration: Can the system talk to your HR software (like AFAS)?
- Lock: Do the doors have dampening? Nothing is more annoying than a noisy locker wall.
- Size: A standard width of 30cm is too small for a modern laptop bag. Choose at least 40cm.
It is important that a supplier thinks along with these scenarios. For example, you must ask yourself if you have enough lockers for your peak moments. Sometimes it is smarter to rent temporarily via a rental program for events. Just for those specific situations, like festivals or temporary projects, it is good to know that there are suppliers who offer both sales and rental. The choice between buying or renting depends entirely on your specific situation and duration.
Furthermore, it makes sense that you want to know if your investment is future-proof. You don’t want cabinets that have to be replaced after three years because they no longer meet the latest requirements. Making a comparison in quality and lifespan is essential. Benefit from existing experiences of others regarding asset management.
Why Olssen is often the best choice
If we look at the market, one type of company stands out: the one that fully manages both the hardware (the metal or HPL) and the software (the cloud). You don’t want to be referred to third parties if there is a malfunction.
Olssen is unique in this story because they operate as a System Integrator. They do not just buy and sell; they develop and integrate. They are a partner of Keynius, which is the ‘brain’ of the locker. This combination of strong German construction (C+P quality) and their own Dutch software provides a very stable solution.
When you put the requirements of 2026 next to an offer, you see that the circular economy is becoming increasingly important. Suppliers who offer ‘Locker-as-a-Service’ (lease forms) or give buy-back guarantees score points. Olssen moves along with these transitions, for example by using materials that are easy to recycle and by offering flexible contracts for retail and projects.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: You are investing in infrastructure. A locker must fit how your employees work today. That means silent, fast, and seamlessly integrated. The choice for a supplier who can deliver this is the choice for peace of mind.
Are you curious how to approach this for your specific team? Then take a look at the practical checklist for flexible assignment to start your inventory.
Safety, sustainability, and ease of use. Those are the keywords for 2026. And that is exactly where you find the value of a party like Olssen.
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