Boca firm makes bike rack geared to save space.

UpLift Bike Dock also prevents scratches

A Boca Raton company is rolling out a bike rack designed to save space, secure the wheel and frame, and prevent scratches through a special coating.

The UpLift Bike Dock is the brainchild of Christopher George, CEO of Highland Products Group, a 15-year-old company known as The Park & Facilities Catalog, and company sales executive Chris Luyet.

“This is a very exciting product, and we think this is going to take our company to the next level,” George said.

Highland Products already does about $20 million in annual sales in equipment for parks, including picnic tables, trash receptacles and benches. In recent years, the company has broadened into products for college campuses, sports stadiums, zoos and amusement parks and dog parks.

Luyet, the Bike Dock’s co-inventor, previously was co-founder and president of Park a Bike rack company, which has a similar product.

Highland’s new product offers elevation, which increases the number of bikes that can be parked, he said. With the UpLift Bike Dock, bicycles are lined up evenly and lean against a rack protected with a coating to prevent abrasion. The company developed a proprietary sealant coating to prevent the metal from corroding.

CARLINE JEAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Co-inventor and CEO Christopher George with his company’s new bike rack. The Boca Raton company’s bike rack, the Uplift Bike Dock, is designed to save space.