List’s corporate headquarters are in Deerfield Beach, Florida—also the home of its largest manufacturing plant, where the majority of its metal locker and cabinet products are fabricated. Customers benefit from five distribution centers, each strategically located around the country to ensure the most efficient delivery possible. With a deep bench of experts in lockers and shelving, List offers not only stellar products but also generations of knowledge, reliability, and partnership to its dealers and their customers.
Recently, I spoke with Steve Troyano, national product manager for wood and phenolic Lockers at List Industries. We started with the impressive breadth of products manufactured by List: wielded and KD industrial and commercial cabinets; industrial steel boltless, clip, and bulk shelving; workbenches; portable security gates; and industrial guardrail lockers. To those, add List’s Superior Lockers—America’s most comprehensive locker line. Superior Lockers range from economy KD lockers to industry-best, fully framed, all-welded lockers. List offers an incredible array of locker styles, materials, sizes, colors, and functionality. The company also manufactures furniture-quality wood, plastic laminate and phenolic lockers for professional, collegiate, and high school teams sports—not to mention those for country clubs, fitness centers, hospital lounges, and employee locker rooms.
Troyano stressed that when clients make an investment in their products, List’s team of designers, engineers, and sales professionals are available every step of the way. “We assist from initial budget planning to project completion, and our staff collaborates directly with customers in the design of an attractive, functional, and budget-friendly locker room.”
During my conversation with Troyano, I was particularly interested in List’s collaborative efforts with colleges and universities in locker room design. “Collaboration is at the core of what we do,” he said, “especially when it comes to collegiate athletics. We regularly partner with architects, general contractors, and school officials to bring locker room visions to life, whether it’s retrofitting an existing space or starting fresh with new construction.”
Troyano explains what this collaborative process looks like in action. “Often conversations begin at national trade shows or through our extensive dealer network. From there, we dive into the specific needs of each program—whether it’s maximizing space, boosting functionality, or creating a more inspiring environment for athletes. Each project is tailored because no two teams—or locker rooms—are the same.”
I asked Troyano about List’s recent collaborations with higher ed institutions. He cited three standout examples: the company’s work with Western Illinois University, Tulane University, and Furman University. “We were honored to help revamp their locker rooms, and we did so across multiple sports programs,” he said. “Each team had its own set of requirements, from sport-specific storage solutions to personal touches that make the players feel at home, which itself is no small thing.”
I was intrigued by this last detail. Troyano explained: “A student-athlete often spends four years with the same locker. For many, it becomes more than a space. It becomes a second home. At List, we take great pride in creating environments [which] reflect that significance.” This serves as but one example of why List stands out among its competitors—the company hasn’t lost sight of the human component. For a student-athlete, a locker is no arbitrary object. It embodies meaning, serving not only as an emblem of the student-athlete’s success and hard work, but as an extension of the user’s personality and values. As a social space, the locker room signifies teamwork and togetherness; the individual locker, by a similar logic, is personalized, a signifier of the self within the larger network of a team.
Best Practices for Planning Athletic Spaces
Troyano understands that launching a project comprised of locker and shelving installation isn’t straightforward for everyone. He offered advice about how to approach any project. “Think of it like planning a great outfit,” he said. “You need the right measurements before you can start tailoring.” As an outsider to the world of locker- and shelf-design, I appreciate how Troyano makes what may seem daunting entirely manageable: “The first step in any successful locker or shelving project is a detailed drawing of the space. That means measuring everything, from walls and doorways to light switches, electrical outlets, even those often-overlooked markerboards. These details are the foundation of a smooth installation, and they help prevent surprises down the road. And here’s a golden rule we live by: pictures are worth a thousand words. Snapping a few photos of the space gives our team a much clearer idea of what’s needed. We can then ensure your locker room or storage area ends up being functional and stylish in the ways you’d like.”
On the subjects of design and installation, Troyano offered additional advice. “When it comes to athletic locker rooms, not all are created equal. At List, our Metal, Wood, and Phenolic Open Front Lockers are the go-to for team environments. The choice of material comes down to the sport and the school’s budget. No matter the selection, we’re committed to combining durability with thoughtful design.”
I asked about List’s VersaSport Open Front Phenolic Locker, which Troyano cited as one of the company’s “most exciting innovations.” The model has quickly become a favorite on college campuses. He explained why: “For one, it’s unbeatable for its toughness combined with a sleek, modern aesthetic,” Troyano said. “Phenolic resin is incredibly durable. It’s ideal for the kind of wear-and-tear that high-performance athletes require, and it’s naturally resistant to mold, bacteria—even vandalism. But toughness doesn’t mean sacrificing style.” List’s VersaSport line adds a layer of aesthetic sophistication. “The Formica laminate overlays [allow] schools to customize their lockers with bold team colors or elegant woodgrain finishes. You can even add built-in LED lighting and USB/110V outlets. Suddenly, a locker becomes more than just a storage space—it becomes a personal hub for today’s student-athletes.”
In several ways, List Industries works to stay ahead of the game with respect to a campus’ sports-related needs. For Troyano, lockers are instrumental to the athletic experience. “As a global leader in locker solutions,” he said, “we offer an unmatched variety of styles and materials, including metal, wood, henolic, and HDPE plastic.” Whether it’s a cutting-edge collegiate locker room or a busy public fitness center, List provides the flexibility to adapt to any facility’s needs.
For Troyano, it’s hard to overstate the importance of flexibility, because different sports “absolutely demand” different designs. “Athletes don’t all play—or store gear—in the same way. Take football, for example. Larger players with those shoulder pads and helmets require extra-wide lockers.” Lacrosse poses its own unique needs: “We’ve got to accommodate everything from 40” attackmen sticks to 72” defensive poles.” With basketball, the players “tend to favor open lower shelving to showcase their high-top sneakers [because] sneaker style is a big part of the culture.” List works closely with coaches, athletic directors, and equipment managers to tailor every locker layout to match the team’s personality and practical needs. Echoing his previous insight about locker spaces as signifiers of identity, Troyano was quick to stress that lockers “reflect the heart and identity of the team that calls them home.” List’s coast-to-coast network of experienced dealers work closely with higher ed institutions, in addition to architects, to ensure that the most recent trends are incorporated.
Catering to Campus-Wide Needs and Values
List Industries’ products can be found across campuses, making the day-to-day work of campus life easier for everyone. From recreation centers to faculty lounges, employee locker rooms, and even gender-inclusive changing areas, List’s lockers serve a wide range of spaces well beyond athletics. Prioritizing the needs of the individual, Troyano considers how essential it is that lockers create a sense of security in a busy campus setting. “For students, they’re a personal space [used to] stash valuables between classes or workouts. And for schools, they’re a practical tool that helps reduce theft and keep campus life running smoothly.
List’s Safety-View Lockers are a standout favorite among higher ed institutions. They feature high-strength, injection-molded polycarbonate doors, and the lockers offer clear content visibility without compromising durability. They’re ideal for environments where transparency is key, allowing staff to quickly and discreetly verify what’s being stored while maintaining privacy and personal space. “At List Industries, we know that every campus has its own unique set of concerns. That’s why we offer a wide range of secure storage options designed to adapt to virtually any setting—from high-traffic areas to spaces where added oversight is essential. It’s all about giving schools peace of mind while creating safe and functional spaces.”
List is also alert to students’ increasing desire for sustainable products: “We source raw materials here in the U.S., and all recycled content information is available on our website. Depending on location, the project may be eligible for local sourcing credits. Plus, most of our products are Greenguard Gold certified, meaning they meet the highest standards for clean air quality.”
Over the course of our conversation, List Industries’ commitment to its core values was evident. The company applies these values to deliver specialized service and custom-designed lockers and cabinets for individual customer needs. They ensure every finished project fits clients’ functional, aesthetic, and operational priorities.
