How to Choose the Right Lockers

What follows is not a cut-and-paste from some locker manufacturer's web site. This is a common-sense guideline-rooted in our experience at Big Dog Warehouse, Inc. on how to best choose the best lockers for your project.

How Will the Lockers Be Used?

By first understanding your needs, you are better positioned to select the right lockers for your project. The right locker for a school might not be the best one for your employees, or vice-versa.

Durability

Your adult workers probably won't be beating the hell out of a locker like a high school student would. Or perhaps you hire a bunch of boneheads who don't respect anything that's not theirs. Heavy-duty lockers run 20-to-50% more than standard lockers. Spending a bit more for rough-usage applications might cost more on the front end, but will save you over time. It's no fun to tear a bank of lockers apart to replace a side or end panel that has been damaged.

Not all lockers are created equal. Some imported lockers may be a lot cheaper, but then again-they're a lot cheaper. How rugged is the construction? Do they utilize multi-point latching? Will these less-expensive lockers take the abuse they're exposed to?

Size

Lockers range from nine to 24 inches in width, and 12 to 24 inches in depth. Standard lockers are 60" or 72" high (not counting standard six-inch legs), though half-height lockers are available from some manufacturers. The main question to ask is: what will you be storing in them? If you are getting employee lockers to hold handbags and a single change of clothes, you don't need a single-tier locker for each employee. A double- or triple-tier locker will suffice, and cut the number of needed lockers dramatically--and thus save you money.

Security

If personal security is a concern, remember that all lockers come with locking capabilities. In addition to simply putting a padlock on a locker, you can also have built-in locks installed, whether deadbolt, combination locks or locks with master keys. But also remember that a locker is simply a steel box with six sides, and if someone wants in bad enough, they'll get in. Lockers are designed to keep out the honest.

Some of our clients want heavy-duty lockers with plenty of ventilation, including between lockers (usually for damp or wet areas, such as health clubs). However, such lockers with diamond-shaped perforations allow you to look in the fronts and also into the next locker, when yours is open. This is a judgment call-what's more important, security or ventilation?

There are also high-end lockers--like Penco's "Smart Locker"--with advanced security features such as an alarm option and software that controls access and records transaction data. Penco also has a "ProTough" locker that is fully framed with roll cage construction, ideal for heavy use and higher security applications.

There are also a variety of lock options. From built-in key or combination locks to coin/card operated models and ADA compliant models, there are a host of locker security choices-some of them rather expensive.

Colors

Each locker manufacturer has a select number of stock colors, as well as a variety of other available colors. The stock colors ship quicker (sometimes the lockers are actually in stock!), which the other colors put the lockers on a "production" rather than quick-ship schedule. Custom colors are also available for an additional cost.

Special Coatings and Finishes

Penco, like some other manufacturers, takes great care in the locker powder coat finish painting process. The metal is first treated to better hold the paint. They then apply a six-stage painting process that ends with a very nice, durable painted finish.

On top of this standard process are other available options. The powder coat plus option improves the durability and rust resistance, adding a 2 mil thick coating of powder coat enamel which is then baked onto the surface. Another option is anti-graffiti paint, a specially-formulated paint that seals the locker surface and prevents graffiti and corrosive agents from penetrating the finish. If someone does spray the locker, the paint can be easily removed with a cleaning agent.

Hallowell manufactures a corrosion and rust-resistant locker, made with carbon-coated galvanneal sheet steel with zinc on both sides, then painted to a hard finish. These galvanneal lockers are more resistant to scratches and damage. These rust-resistant and strong lockers can handle just about anything, including wet and corrosive environments--perfect for locker rooms, showers and exposed areas. They have three times the average life span of standard steel lockers.

Republic manufactures what many believe to be the best lockers in the business.  Their latching mechanisms are second to none, and they are geared to meet whatever conditions are found in schools, industry and workplaces. We've never had a single complaint about any of the Republic lockers we've provided over the years.

Availability/Lead Times

Lockers aren't like computers that everyone stocks. The more common sized and colored lockers (such as single tier, 12" x 15" x 72", grey or tan) can often be found in a manufacturer's warehouse or distribution facility. If they have what you need in stock, most companies can ship within 72 hours of receipt of order. Otherwise the lockers go into production, and the lead times can range from two- to ten-weeks weeks, depending on location, time of year (increased during school season and around holidays) as well as the product.

Accessories

Are the lockers going to need extra coat hooks? Mirrors? Extra shelves? Closed or end bases? Slope tops? A bare-bones locker with all the added trimmings can substantially add to your overall cost.

Slope tops are often used instead of flat tops to keep dust from accumulating, as well as to discourage the use of the locker tops as storage areas. Some, however, enjoy having the extra storage space on top.

Front and end bases are designed to fit between the legs of standard lockers, effectively closing off the front. They give a nice clean and flush appearance and prevent dirt and debris from accumulating underneath the locker. But you get the same effect if you choose lockers with no legs. If the extra six-inches is desired, consider closed and end bases. They aren't that expensive, and are easily enough replaced when some idiot having a bad day decides to kick one of them.

Zee bases are for raising lockers without legs four-inches off the floor (when there is no concrete or wood base). They provide some toe space in the front, and are anchored in the back of the lockers.

Locker Room Benches & Pedestals

Locker room benches generally range in length from 36"-144", and available in different depths. They are generally selected hardwood (mainly maple) and are finished with a clear lacquer.

Pedestals are heavy-duty steel tubes which allow you to mount the benches either to the floor, or with pedestal stands which allow the benches to be moved. Many locker rooms choose fixed pedestal bases, as they can't be tossed, knocked over or used as lethal weapons. Again, your judgment call. They also range widely in price, depending on the material, coating and design.

Assembly and Delivery (Shipping) Variables

You know what lockers you want… and you have a budget. You're torn between factory assembly and K.D. (knocked-down, or unassembled) lockers. Some things to consider:

• No one has every thanked us for the opportunity to assemble lockers;
• No one has ever not been able to assemble a locker;
• Assembled lockers cost approximately 35-40% more to ship (as the shipping class changes, usually from Class 70 to Class 125, the higher the class the more the cost);
• The first few lockers being assembled will drive most people to want to throw something; however, subsequent lockers are rather mechanically assembled and the time spent per locker is greatly reduced;
• Unassembled lockers have a lower rate of delivery damage than assembled lockers (something outside of every wholesaler's control, aside from stopping doing business with a freight handler who proves themselves careless or unreliable);
• Unassembled lockers ship quicker than assembled ones;
• Assembled lockers ship ready-to-go-simply line up and mount, though there is an increased likelihood of them arriving damaged than if they're shipped KD;
• Lockers generally ship in one-wide or three-wide configurations;
• Larger installations often utilize the "starter and adder" method. For example, 30 lockers going together would use one starter and 29 adders. All the lockers share common sides. As 50% of a locker's cost is the steel, this reduces the overall cost of the project. However, if you were to move the lockers in the future they would have to have the same configuration, or you'd have to buy end panels to end the new, smaller banks. So if your lockers are temporary or likely to be moved, stick with the three-wide and one-wide configurations. Otherwise choose the starter/adder method.

Shipping

Doubtlessly you'll be shopping for price as you browse the internet for lockers. Bear in mind that the final price is where you can truly compare apples-to-apples. The final price will obviously include shipping.

Rather than charge a flat fee per locker (as some wholesales do) or a percentage of the total order (as still others do), we shop around with multiple carriers until we get the best rate which matches the right freight carrier with your product coming out of the most sensible factory manufacturing or distribution center. We also sell a lot of product, which gives us leverage in beating the hell out of the freight handlers for the best price (kind of like you do to us). So make sure you add freight before you make a determination of who is offering you the best overall deal.

Also, ask your wholesaler whether it's first-party or third-party shipping. If a third-party shipping order gets damaged, you have to file the claim with the freight handler. We first-party ship whenever possible. And we also offer you opportunity to arrange shipping yourself. If you ship a lot of product and get a great rate, you might want to arrange shipping yourself. Shipping is the biggest headache in this industry, so please be our guest.

Also consider how the lockers will physically be delivered. Do you have a dock or loading/unloading capabilities for such heavy items? Or will you need help in getting the lockers off of the truck and into your facility? Lift-gate services and inside delivery kicks up the cost of shipping, but that can beat a workmen's comp claim or a bunch of ticked-off employees who didn't sign up to more 5,000 pounds of lockers by hand truck.

Paying the extra $25 or so for delivery notification will also enable you to better schedule the unloading of your lockers. We've had freight handlers show up with product five minutes before closing time, and even after-hours. Pay the extra $25 and save yourself a real potential hassle.

On-Site Professional Assembly

Any wholesaler can line you up with factory-authorized installers in or close to your area to install your lockers. Some will mark up installation and bill you. At Big Dog Warehouse, we coordinate your project with an installer that we have carefully pre-screened.

But before you go this route, ask your wholesaler to provide you with assembled and unassembled pricing, as well as professional on-site assembly rates, if desired. In this way you be aware of all of your options and can make an intelligent decision that best suits your organization's needs and budget.

Choosing a Locker Manufacturer

There are numerous locker manufacturers out there, domestic and foreign. Each has their advantages and disadvantages.

Of course it makes sense for us to talk up the locker manufacturers and distributors that we've chosen to do business with--Republic, Hallowell and Penco. After all, we're hawking their products on-line. Just know that we didn't choose these companies randomly or carelessly. A lot of effort went into allying ourselves with these particular firms. We concerned ourselves with getting the best prices on high-quality lockers from companies who understood our needs, and would deliver these lockers to our customers in a way that makes us look good so they have no reason to shop elsewhere in the future.

Republic, Hallowell and Penco are domestic manufacturers of lockers and shelving products. ASI imports lockers from China. Since we also sell a great deal of industrial shelving, it made sense for use to do business with companies who manufactured shelving as well--Penco and Hallowell. The more we buy from a particular manufacturer, the more we can beat them up for better margins. You, in turn, can put the screw to us a little deeper concerning price. We sell lockers to you cheaper than anyone else, we make money, the manufacturer makes money, you save money--everyone is happy.

So we've carefully chosen these companies, rather than offer everything that's out there in the material handling marketplace. Their products are superior in quality, and by doing a lot of business with a few carefully-chosen manufacturers, we get bottom-line prices and can pass the savings on to you. This increases our market share. We may make less per transaction than our competitors, but this is a volume business. We'd rather make 10% of something than 100% of nothing.

Conclusion

This was probably more than you ever wanted to know about lockers, and you may feel there are more questions here than answers. But it's impossible to gauge your needs and line you up with the appropriate lockers without adequate information.

We'll work closely with you to assist in identifying and meeting your locker (and industrial shelving) needs in a timely, affordable, thorough and professional manner.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we hope it's been of some value to you. Please feel free to call us at (877) 452-6900 to discuss your locker needs. We'll do our best to earn and keep your business.