Helmsman NBS

What is NBS?

Here at Helmsman, we use National Building Specification (NBS) which provides construction specification information used by architects, engineers, and other building professionals to find the materials and products of construction projects.

NBS is an excellent way for you to specify the products we manufacture, once the products are specified, we have a team that will be providing you with quotes.

Helmsman NBS

Our NBS account provides information to potential customers, with an overview of who we are as a company, as we take pride in bespoke storage lockers and cubicles designed and manufactured to suit customer requirements and specifications.

Where do you specify Helmsman products?

On our profile, we have a variety of products we manufacture, such as lockers, cubicles, bench seating, vanity units as well as IPS (Integrated Plumbing System). Each product that is listed provides specification information, as well as features and benefits, and more information that is needed.

When you are on each product you can add the product to your spec. From adding the product to your specification, along with adding information, our designated team will be able to contact the customer to find more information before we provide a quote.

Partners of Helmsman

Here at Helmsman, we work closely with our suppliers of laminates to provide our customers with a high-quality laminate that would be aesthetically pleasing. Customers are welcome to mix and match laminate colours to create a vibrant appeal.

The laminates that we use are fire-tested and are completely safe and protected. The laminates are durable and hardwearing solutions for lockers and cubicles, giving you years of service whilst withstanding wear and tears.

Additionally, we closely work with lock companies, where we can offer our customers a variety of locker accessories from standard Camlocks to advanced smart locks. This provides a fantastic variety of locks that are reliable and secure with the user’s belongings.

Benefits of Helmsman Specified

Here at Helmsman, we have a variety of services that are provided for our customers.

  • CAD drawing
  • Design team
  • Designation specification manager
  • We offer samples on request.
  • Installation team
  • After-care – We provide an extensive selection of after-sales care and servicing to optimize optimal performance and the longest life cycle.

If you have a project where you need lockers, cubicles, benches, vanity units, or IPS, check out our NBS profile. Additionally, you can contact us today at sales@helmsman.co.uk or get your quote today!

service department

Helmsman Expands their Service Department

Exciting News

Helmsman proudly reveals that we have enhanced our service departments. This tactical growth is to show our commitment to delivering an excellent service to our valued customers. At Helmsman, it’s important for us that you receive the best service out there!

Services

Talking about our new service department we have 3 skilled service engineers and 4 service staff service vans, here are some of the services we offer:

  • We are a locker manufacturer, so we can fabricate spare doors from any other locker company
  • Over 1 million service parts are in stock, which are all ready to ship. Next-day delivery, all the top lock manufacturers catered for.
  • We offer service contracts.
  • Free of charge site survey. To assess your needs.
  • A designated team of fully trained service staff. To help you find solutions to any issue.
  • 99% of keys are cut in our factory
  • We will not be beaten on price

In-house design team

We offer a house design team, where we take pride in helping our customers bring their vision to life when it comes to Lockers, Cubicles, Benches, IPS, and Vanity Units.

We are here with you from the start

service department

Bespoke Project on Locker Fans

Here at Helmsman, our team manufactured and installed Locker Fans for a bespoke project at SSE Thermal.

Beginning of the Bespoke Project

As we are a manufacturer, we can offer design and creative help for the locker styles that our customers want to create.

Our design team at Helmsman developed a CAD drawing at the start of the project that was a plan view for the architects to approve and their ideas to be satisfied.

A power system was also created by the design team to demonstrate how the power system is environmentally efficient as it powers numerous locker fans at once rather than individually.

Specifications

As it was all approved, we began the process of manufacturing wet specification Metal Lockers, which is a great choice for an environment that has high humidity and moisture. For the metal lockers to be suitable for wet environments the electro-zinc plates were used for the doors of the lockers,  whereas the frame was stainless steel, and the body of the lockers was aluminum.

The locker doors were powder-coated in the shade ‘Smoke’ and the body was powder-coated in our standard colour of ‘Ice’ and was finished with our Camlocks. Which is a great lock to keep the employees assured that their belonging is all safe.

The Lockers have seat stands attached, which is advantageous since it allows customers to sit down and change their shoes rather than having to balance.

It was great working with Premier Modular on this bespoke project!

CAD Drawing

Power System

Exeter

Exeter School Lockers Projects

Helmsman Exeter projects

Throughout this project, we worked alongside the side with Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust schools and Pinnacle FM Ltd. This project was one of the biggest projects for Helmsman school lockers, as we manufactured and installed 804 four-compartment Laminate Metal Lockers in 4 different schools in Exeter. The schools were St. Peters, St. James, St. Luke’s, and Isca Academy. The overall project value was £165K.

Our design and CAD drawing team developed the lockers throughout the duration of the projects. Drawings contained what the lockers would look like, and the locations inside the schools for where the four-compartment school lockers will be distributed.

Laminate Metal Lockers

Laminate Metal lockers are an excellent choice for school lockers as they’re modern and popular and will hold up better to scratches, marks, and blemishes over the long term. The body of the lockers was metal powder coated in our standard colour of ‘Ice’. Whereas the laminate doors were coated in different shades of colours which each school has requested.

Specification

The specifications of all the lockers were 1775mm high, 300mm wide, and 450mm deep. The schools requested for the lockers to be manufactured with sloping tops. Sloping tops are an ideal and popular option as they prevent the accumulation of dust as well as using the top of the lockers as a storage which can create a safety hazard if any items fall off.

Security

Here at Helmsman, we offer our clients a variety of accessories such as locks and different locker numbering. However, between the schools, the lockers were all finished with oval number plates above the Camlocks. Camlock is a great choice for school lockers as students are guaranteed that their belongings are safe.

If you want any information on school lockers, call us today at 01284 530421.

CNC machine

Further major investment for 2023

Logos for New Anglia Local Enterprise and Business Transition to Net Zero Grant

After an exciting start to the year with some major investments, we are pleased that we have continued to develop our factory at Helmsman with more additions to our collection of machinery.

Our newest investment was in the Multicam Apex3R CNC Router, known for its superior standard in routing capabilities, with cut speeds of up to 1,950 inches per minute. With a variety of CNC machines on the market, it was important to Helmsman that we invested in a model which produced high-quality cuts, with easy, user-friendly controls.

The Apex3R CNC Router has many benefits, with a heavy, all steel tube frame, vibration is reduced resulting in an improved routing quality, and with a fast, programmable, automatic tool changer, the machine needs minimal human intervention. Meaning our team can use their time in other areas of the factory.

We have also installed a Casadei E550 Edgebander in the factory, providing us with additional abilities and technology that we did not have access to previously.

Our investment in the new CNC machine means we can produce high quality lockers and cubicles much faster, and the brand new Edgebander will further enhance our woodworking capabilities and allow us to expand our product range. Both of these excellent pieces of machinery have been purchased with the assistance of grant funding from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

With these new additions and our previous investments in a new Powder Coating Paint System in 2021 and our Prima Power Punch Press earlier this year, our business is set to continue growing.

Take a look at our brand new Apex3R CNC Router in action below:

Take a look at our other company news here:

Helmsman NBS

Helmsman Expands their Service Department

Bespoke Project on Locker Fans

Exeter School Lockers Projects

Exciting Start to 2023 for Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles

Award winning leisure centres, Z Lockers, service projects, football club changing rooms and more – we’re taking a look back at 2022.

Helmsman Van

Exciting Start to 2023 for Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles

NewAnglia Small Grant and EURD logos

We’re pleased to share that after a successful 2022, we’ve been investing in a variety of business assets to make 2023 follow in its footsteps. We are constantly exploring ways to improve our products, service and customer experience, from the office, factory and transport perspective, and we begin 2023 with two important investments.

With help from the New Anglia Small Grant Scheme, we have purchased a brand-new machine from Prima Power. Our new Punch Sharp PS1225 is one of the best of its kind and will provide our team with additional capabilities for punching holes in sheets of metal during the locker manufacturing process. This new machine provides our manufacturing team with servo-electro punching technology and has a high tooling capacity (up to 384 standard tools).

Continuing our interest in the environment, another reason we chose the Punch Sharp is due to its energy consumption. Compared with traditional methods Prima Power’s machinery can produce more parts at the same energy. Our company is constantly exploring new ways to reduce our carbon footprint, including using the Carbon Neutral Laminate developed by BioCarbon Laminates.

Another great thing about the Punch Sharp is that is has a compact footprint in comparison to its competitors. Meaning we can continue to expand our factory facilities in the future and use the space to its maximum potential.

As well as expanding our fleet of machinery, we have also expanded our fleet of vehicles. Our brand-new van will be used by our installations team, with enough space to carry their specialist tools, any additional supplies and products needed for your installation project.

We’re looking forward to an exciting 2023, hopefully with more business expansion and some exciting projects along the way.

Helmsman Logo

Award winning leisure centres, Z Lockers, service projects, football club changing rooms and more – we’re taking a look back at 2022.

Office and Staff Lockers

Our office and staff lockers have been popular during 2022. Helmsman manufactured, delivered and installed 172 two compartment heavy-duty laminate lockers with welled locker doors at Bombardier Services UK. Our client, Pure Office Solutions Ltd chose the neutral Greenlam Primeval Oak solid grade laminate door colour to match the light aesthetics of the room. We also manufactured sloping tops, end panels and bench seating in the same laminate to create a nice flow throughout the room. Each bank of laminate lockers featured an integrated cantilever bench running across it, a great space-saving solution. Lowe & Fletcher camlocks with simple white number disks decorate each locker door, keeping it in line with the neutral look.

We have also worked with McCormick in previous years providing them with staff lockers, and this year their UK HQ requested some staff lockers and bench seating. Helmsman installed 164 mild steel 1 compartment lockers, with a bright but professional colour scheme of cherry, royale and yellow. Also included in the project were 10 double sided benches with coat hooks and ash hardwood slats.

The brand new coaches’ changing rooms at Ipswich Town FC were fitted out with Helmsman Lockers, Cubicles and bench seating. The choice of lockers for this project were bespoke 1 compartment laminate lockers, with bespoke floor to ceiling cubicles for both the showers and toilet. The project was kept slick by using a dark grey laminate from BioCarbon Laminates for the lockers and cubicles, as well as the vanity units and IPS panels.

Leisure Centre Projects

The Pyramids Centre in Portsmouth was our first leisure centre project of 2022. For this stunning project, we manufactured, delivered, and installed modern laminate lockers with both 3 and 5 compartments as well as Front Line cubicles, vanity units and IPS panels. The choice of laminate throughout the majority of the project was Abet Laminati in colour Walnut, with the cubicle partitions featuring a complimenting Light Grey, also from Abet Laminati. The changing rooms are now a warm and welcoming environment.

One of our favourite projects this year was St Sidwell’s Point, the first Passivhaus Leisure Centre in the UK. This brand-new leisure centre required a full changing room fit out, with both laminate and glass leisure lockers, front line and glass cubicles, bench seating, IPS panels and vanity units. As specialists in bespoke projects, we designed a new product for the project, creating a front line cubicle with floating leg and hidden fixings to promote a more aesthetic look. With a mix of Formica Elegant Oak and Dusty Jade, and Abet Blue Dust laminates, as well as RAL coloured glass, the project really flows with an earthy feel. The addition of Ojmar OTS Advanced RFID locks to the glass lockers provides a highly advanced locking system. It was great to work alongside Kier for this project, which has since won numerous awards.

Our project at Helensburgh Leisure Centre featured Fully Framed and Bespoke Front Line Cubicles, as well as Leisure lockers, IPS Panels and vanity units. We worked with a variety of laminate suppliers such as Formica in colour Storm, Greenlam in colour Blue Galaxy and Abet in colour Pearl Grey. Also included in the project were Ojmar Coin Return locks and wrist straps. The stunning waterfront leisure centre opened in September, and the leisure centre project also received an “Excellent” rating in an audit by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).

We finished the year with a refurbishment project alongside Vincent Stokes at Central Park Leisure Centre in Romford. The changing rooms required Leisure Lockers, with 3 different coloured doors, and bench seating. The lockers came complete with coin return locks and wrist straps, perfect for a leisure centre changing rooms. The bench seating was a range of wall to floor benches, as well as wall island benches, with laminate slats to match the lockers and the rest of the changing room design.

Z Lockers

One of our most requested locker designs are Z lockers. Towards the end of 2022, we manufactured and installed Z Lockers for two projects in London. The first was at Paddington Square, an impressive new building above the entrance to the London Underground’s Bakerloo Line. 268 Z Lockers were installed in two sets of changing rooms, with Lowe and Fletcher Hasp locks and black laminate number plates. The second of our Z Locker projects this year was another stunning building, this time at 72 Welbeck Street, nearby Bond Street. The Z Lockers were manufactured from a clean Spring White laminate, with matching seat stands

Service Department

Our service team has had some interesting projects this year too. The first of which was at Riverside Leisure Centre in Exeter. Following our work at St Sidwell’s Point, the council asked us to return to replace some locks on some existing lockers from another supplier. Our team removed 290 doors and re-drilled to fix the new Ojmar OTS Advanced RFID locks. The existing doors with new locks were then re-fixed to the lockers. The new locks allow users to open or close lockers by simply pressing a proximity media: card, bracelet or Wellness® key against the doorknob. With a high battery life and vandal proof design, this lock is the perfect choice for a leisure centre changing rooms.

We then had an exciting project at Felixstowe Leisure centre replacing all of their locker and cubicle doors, making the whole changing room feel refreshed and brand new with a bright pop of colour.

2022 has been a great year for Helmsman, we have received a brand-new accreditation with Made in Britain and had some fantastic additions to our team. With a record breaking year we have also recently invested in some brand new machinery to help us continue being one of the UK’s leading Locker and Cubicle manufacturers into 2023.

Riverside Lockers Before

All About Our Service Department

The Helmsman family includes over 40 employees, all committed to personal service, and our After Sales Service department is no different.

When we sell, manufacture, or install a Helmsman product, we do so with the intention of making the products life cycle as long as possible. Not only is this by using the best quality and most suitable materials for the job, but also by providing a fantastic after sales service for the lifetime of your product. Our service department can help with a range of requests, from Ad Hoc repairs to regular maintenance contracts.

Here when you need us.

Our service team consists of a highly skilled set of engineers, customer coordinators and maintenance workers to keep your lockers and cubicle products working to their highest performance, for as long as possible. This isn’t limited to a service contract. We are here if you need us after sales, manufacture and/or install.

Additionally, our service team can help with not only our own Helmsman products, but with other manufacturers products too. From minor repairs to replacement doors, or even complete refurbishments. For example, take a look at our lock replacement case study at Riverside Leisure Centre.

What do we offer?

As Helmsman is the whole package, with a design, manufacturing, installation and after sales service team, we can provide a range of after sales options and support.

Should you need replacement doors, we can manufacture and supply Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) doors, metal doors, and even doors to fit most other manufacturers products. We can colour match to your existing scheme, or supply doors of all shapes and sizes, from full length one compartment lockers to Z lockers, all the way through to 20 compartment doors for garment dispensers.

Lost your key?

Whilst we have the ability to help with the big repair jobs, the majority of the time all you’ll need us for is broken or missing keys, accidental or deliberate damage, or misuse. We can supply replacement parts for all components from keys to locker numbers, locks, discs, and fobs for both lockers and cubicles. We stock a variety of replacement parts for immediate delivery, however even if we don’t have your particular request in stock, our service team can locate, order and ship to you in no time at all.

For more info on our Accessories and replacement parts, click here, call our service department on 01284727626 or email the team at service@helmsman.co.uk

Riverside Lockers Before
Refurbishing lockers and cubicles
Ojmar OTS Basic Lock
Made in Britain Logo

Celebrating being granted Made in Britain Membership

Made in Britain logo

We are pleased to announce that we have been accredited as a member of Made in Britain. Our adoption of the official, protected mark will help buyers recognise our range of locker and cubicle products as good quality, great value and British-made.

The mark also lets customers know that Helmsman is a trusted company that values transparency, sustainability and ethical business practices. Consumers are increasingly recognising the Made in Britain mark as a mark of confidence.

Managing Director Paul Gormley said “We felt it was important at Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles to highlight that our products are not only Made in Britain, but also to the highest manufacturing standards. We have always strived to produce long-standing, high-quality products, and the Made in Britain accreditation really highlights this. We look forward to continuing to be one of the UK’s largest manufacturer and installers of lockers and cubicles and showcase our membership with Made in Britain.”

John Pearce, chief executive of Made in Britain said: “We’re delighted that Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles has joined the community of more than 1200 British manufacturers. The more the mark is used and seen, the more it is recognised as a mark of quality. In addition to getting access to the official protected mark, Helmsman will also start to enjoy the many other benefits membership to Made in Britain brings, including support in sales, marketing, PR/comms and export. We look forward to watching them grow with our help and support.”

We are excited to work alongside Made in Britain, and expand our client base with their directory and marketing tools. Take a look at our page, where you’ll find a list of our products, images, descriptions, news and case studies.

6 reasons to choose Helmsman Lockers

6 Reasons to choose Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles

6 Reasons to choose Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles

Helmsman Lockers & Cubicles is a family run business

With a strong commitment and an extensive history in the industry, Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles has all the benefits of a family-run business, whilst still being one of the UK’s top manufacturers and installers. The company has been built on strong family values and good relationships, with a team of long-serving employees, suppliers we have worked with for years and repeat customers returning with new projects. We believe in the power of teamwork, harnessing and playing to each member’s strengths resulting in a business whose value and effectiveness is greater than the sum of its parts.

 

We’re the whole package

Not only do Helmsman supply a huge range of products, including lockers, cubicles, bench seating, IPS and vanity units, we also are the UK’s only turnkey manufacturer. With our fantastic team, we can support you from design, manufacture and installation all the way through to our after-sales support. We really do offer the complete package for your project.

 

Bespoke Lockers and Cubicles projects

Because we are the only company in the UK to offer the full package, Helmsman offers not only off-the-shelf products but can also create bespoke solutions for your project. Whether this be aluminum, steel, glass or solid grade laminate. We offer a range of colours and styles, as well as options and accessories such as heated lockers, charging lockers, and different locking systems, plus we can provide solutions for awkward corners, uneven floors or even curved walls.

 

Helmsman lockers come with a warranty – but they’ve been known to last over 50 years!

Our products come with a warranty, and a lifetime of support and after-sales service, (more on that later!) However, we were once contacted by a lovely lady from Shropshire about some replacement keys for her lockers. As standard practice we requested some photos of the item to identify the lock and received a selection of photos of lockers from 50 years ago, even with the old Helmsman logo still intact. With a product lasting that long, this is another great reason to choose Helmsman for your project.

Helmsman original logo

 

After Sales Service

From minor repairs to complete refurbishment, Helmsman can provide you with the necessary service, maintenance and after-service facilities. We offer a complete range of after-sales care and service, ranging from a regular maintenance contract to ad hoc repairs. We also stock a comprehensive range of replacement parts available for immediate delivery, maximizing the life of our products.

 

Experience and knowledge of lockers and cubicles with a history spanning 230 years

The Helmsman brand and company originates from Bristol Docks around 1790 when it was a manufacturer of wooden parts for ships. By 1875 it was located in the West India Dock in London making galvanized iron tanks and cisterns for bulk liquid storage. The factory later relocated to Walthamstow, and then suffered a direct hit from a V2 rocket in 1944, killing the chairman and several employees. In the 1960s the company was manufacturing bulk tanker lorry bodies for transporting items such as grain or flour.

During the early 1970s the company moved to its current home in Bury St Edmunds, manufacturing lockers for the school, industry and leisure markets. Over 40 years later, Helmsman are the UK’s leading manufacturers and installers of a complete range of lockers and cubicles, with the original wooden sailor figure standing in our entrance.

Helmsman history

Need any more convincing? Contact us today or fill in our quote form here.