Boveda to Supply XIKAR’s New Humidification Packets (Update)

There’s an old idiom that if you can’t beat them, join them, a saying that seems applicable to an announcement from XIKAR, Inc. today.

The company announced that it has entered into a long-term supply agreement with Boveda Inc., best known for producing portable humidification packets. Under the agreement, Boveda Inc. will manufacture and supply XIKAR 2-Way Humidity Control products using Boveda’s patented technology.

According to a statement issued by XIKAR on Thursday, the company will have its team of dedicated sales personnel visit retail locations to help facilitate inventory management and merchandising, and to provide education and training on 2-Way Humidity Control products.

“Our agreement with Boveda is a natural step in our pursuit to be the turn-key supplier of all cigar accessories, to all cigar retailers,” Kurt Van Keppel, president of XIKAR said in a press release. Scott Almsberger, XIKAR’s chief design officer, added that “within the category of consumer humidification, Boveda carved out a significant niche; we are happy to bring two-way humidification products into our family of full line humidification products.”

For Boveda, the agreement is part of the company’s new initiative to expand the availability of its patented 2-way humidity control technology by providing XIKAR with custom printed Boveda packets. Boveda will continue to manufacture and distribute its own branded products to the cigar industry, meaning that cigar retailers who currently have accounts can continue to buy directly from Boveda.

“We believe consumers will be the biggest beneficiary because our agreement with XIKAR and their world class sales force and infrastructure will help increase the reach of Boveda’s patented 2-Way Humidity Control technology,” according to Tim Swail, executive vice president of Boveda Inc.

XIKAR has not announced the specific products or pricing of the new humidification collection, but will have the collection on display at the upcoming 2016 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, which happens July 25-28 in Las Vegas, Nev. The company expects the products to be available at retail in September.

Shortly after this story was published, a representative from XIKAR told halfwheel that the new line will be available during the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show but declined to provide specifics as to products and pricing.

Image courtesy of XIKAR.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.