Two of the UK’s biggest names in locker manufacturing have joined forces as part of a new strategy to deliver top quality, ongoing innovation and value to its customers across the UK and Europe.

Cambridge-based Craftsman Lockers, Britain’s largest manufacturer of timber lockers, and Caerphilly-based Garran Lockers, the UK’s fastest growing locker manufacturer, will now form part of newly-created Ice Locker Group.

The group will retain the Craftsman brand and will co-ordinate its people and processes across the two locations as it looks to drive the growth of its future locker designs and locking systems. Garran Lockers will continue to trade as the group’s manufacturing centre.

Laura Whincup, chairman of the Ice Locker Group, said: “Craftsman Lockers has more than 20 years’ experience designing and manufacturing quality wooden lockers and ancillary changing room furniture for golf clubs, hotels, spas, leisure centres and private leisure clubs.

“Garran Lockers has more than 50 years’ experience designing and manufacturing top quality steel lockers for catering and green keeping staff, emergency services, education and leisure facilities.

“By bringing the two businesses together, we are able to embark on an exciting new chapter where we share best practice and resources for the benefit of our customers and their customers whether in retail, leisure, public services or industry.”

Recently appointed managing director Philip Lawrence will lead the two businesses while John Gibbs will continue to champion the Craftsman brand from Cambridge.

The Ice Locker Group has seen several new business enquiries in recent weeks and is in active discussions with other technology companies around further innovations.

Philip Lawrence said: “The lockers already demonstrate several innovations including a fully bespoke design, anti-bacterial paint, an integrated sloping top as one unit and all steel lockers are welded together without the use of weaker riveted solutions.

“Our challenge is to leverage this existing innovation to achieve additional growth and ultimately employment. I firmly believe that by embracing continuous improvement we will continue to offer our customers not only the best solutions for their needs, but also the best British-made products on the market,”