Digital BW, The Print

Step one is a drum scanner, assuming the negatives can survive being 
fluid mounted.

There are very expensive flatbeds from Creo, Fuji, Aztek and others. 
Their big claim to fame is speed. You can fill their large flat-bed full 
of film, and off you go.  Supposedly they give higher quality than 
consumer flatbeds, but I have no idea if this is true.  They are 
certainly heavier built. One potential problem with these would be 
getting them serviced.

The a step down would be Epson and Microtek's professional models.  The 
Microteck 1800F get's good reviews.  Supposedly the optics, mechanicals 
and electronics are better than consumer models.  It's true that dynamic 
range, low vibration, precision movements...are all more important that 
resolution.

Finally, there are the consumer flatbeds.

There are a number of issues involved, including the skill and care of 
the operator. For example, a great "consumer flatbed" scan will trump a 
poor drum scan.... If you get your own equipment, you'll have to add in 
the cost of training an operator and upkeep on the scanner. 

One thing to remember is that most "consumer scanner" reviews are done 
very poorly.  It's essential to get the film holders to the ideal 
height, and this often isn't the manufacturer's default!  Second, 
keeping the film flat has a huge effect on quality, just as it does when 
enlarging traditionally. I wet-mount on the underside of a sheet of 
optical glass that's been shimmed to the ideal height for my scanner.  
This gives much better results than using my Canon film-holders that 
came with the scanner. But...it's b PITA and it take a lot of time.  So 
if you're doing a large amount of scans, as you are, this might be 
prohibitive.

If possible, try to get a scan of the same negative on the various options.