When Rolf Scholtz majored in political science and international relations as a University student, little did he know he would be designing and marketing bicycle racks within two years of graduation.
Since 1995, Scholtz and his brother Derk have designed innovative bike racks, called Dero Racks — a few of which have found their way to the Twin Cities campus.
The two work out of the West Bank headquarters of their business, Derovations Co., and design many styles of racks.
Rolf Scholtz credits his brother with the original idea. He said in their work as campus security officers, they often encountered problems with unstable bike racks around campus.
“We just thought there was a market for a bike rack that was secure, U-lock compatible and attractive,” Scholtz said.
He said the original intention was to allow clients to design their own racks and give them to the brothers to be manufactured.
But potential clients asked the Scholtz brothers to create racks for them.
Some of their designs include: the “spikey guy rack,” “bike-o-saurus rax” and “pant rack.” The two designs on campus are the “bike bike rack” and the “bike man.”
The racks, which are constructed of stainless steel, are completely secure as well as attractive, Scholtz said.
Since its inception, the brothers’ company has doubled its sales every year, with clientele in Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania as well as Minnesota.
The University began a contract with Derovations Co. last spring. Since then, Scholtz’s creations have appeared in front of the Transportation Building and the Weisman Art Museum.
These racks are also abundant in Uptown.
Steve Sanders, project manager for University Parking and Transportation Services, said the racks are a welcome addition to the campus.
“People think they’re great,” Sanders said. “They think they look cool.”
“I like them because they’re functional,” he said. “They add to the campus.”
Sanders mentioned the possibility of the implementation of more Dero Racks around campus as part of University President Mark Yudof’s “Beautiful U” initiative. Sanders said he would like to see more Dero Racks on campus, especially on the West Bank.
“People get a smile on their face when they see those (racks),” Sanders said.
Derovations Co. is one of the companies vying for a contract of the addition of 1,000 new bike racks on campus, Sanders said.
Stephanie Miner, a Plymouth resident who will attend the University next fall as a food science graduate student, said the bike racks are an attractive addition to the campus.
Scholtz said his future plans include designing a stainless steel bike locker as well as continuing to market existing products nationwide.