Written By: Steven Bryan

Most businesses use safes to keep sensitive documents and other valuable property away from prying eyes and natural disasters. Because these storage devices are available in all shapes and sizes, it makes good economic sense to evaluate what safe manufacturers have to offer your company.

Different types of safes

As you speak with the sales departments of different safe manufacturers, keep in mind that safes are quality-rated for different types of storage:

• Burglarproof: When your focus is on keeping valuables out of the wrong hands, a safe that's truly difficult to crack is the right choice.
• Fireproof: These safes keep documents and other property safe during a fire for as long as three hours, depending on the intensity of the blaze.
• Waterproof: This type of storage device keeps your materials dry in case of flood or total submersion.
• Data Safes: In an age of flash drives and other portable media devices, a data safe can keep all this valuable information safe from harm.

It's also important to note that some safes perform more than one of the functions listed above. A burglarproof safe could, for example, also be fire and water-resistant as well.

Valuable safe features

Like most products these days, modern safes come equipped with lots of bells and whistles. When comparing safe manufacturers, keep these different features in mind:

• Type of access (key, combination, dial or fingerprint scan)
• Mounting (floor, wall or an upright vault safe)
• Multipurpose (has compartments for both paper documents and electronic devices)
• Portability (do you need to have the safe moved from time-to-time or should it be bolted to the floor?)
• Certifications (does the safe meet industry standards?)

Shopping for safe manufacturers

Many wholesale clubs and office supply stores sell reliable storage devices, but some of the top safe manufacturers have long been associated with protecting valuables:

• Schwab Corp.: This Lafayette, Indiana company has been producing fire-resistant safes since 1872.
• Sentry Safe: A family-owned manufacturer, Sentry makes business safes that are water-, fire- and burglary-resistant.
• Liberty Safe: This company offers a rugged line of business safes, including ones that fit securely in the floor.
• Phoenix Safe Company: This British safe manufacturer has been creating secure storage devices for over 200 years.

No matter which safe manufacturer you prefer, the best way to buy a safe is through an experienced dealer. These experts can help you choose the right options for your exact need - without breaking your budget. Fill out one easy form and get free safe price quotes from multiple qualified dealers.