Xikar And Boveda Announce Long-Term Partnership

Source from:  Cigar Aficionado 07/18/2016

Boveda, maker of a popular brand of humidification inserts, has announced a long-term supply agreement with cigar accessories company Xikar. As per the terms of the deal, the Minnesota-based company will now provide Xikar with custom-printed humidification products containing Boveda's patented two-way humidification technology.

"Our agreement with Boveda is a natural step in our pursuit to be the turnkey supplier of all cigar accessories," said Scott Almsberger, Xikar's chief design officer, in a press release.

Xikar, known for its cigar cutters and lighters, also produces its own line of humidification devices, and the company has confirmed they will continue to sell these products.

According to Sean Knutsen, president and CEO of Boveda Inc., Boveda is only producing humidity inserts for Xikar at the moment, but a line of Xikar-branded insert holders for humidors may come in the future.

"When we decided to expand the availability of our product, [Xikar] was the logical choice because of their strength in the accessory market," said Knutsen. The new strategy will lend other brands access to Boveda's patented technology and give retailers more flexibility on where they can purchase Boveda products.

Boveda is the sole manufacturer of its two-way humidity control devices, which have the capability of both increasing and decreasing moisture levels in order to maintain desired humidity. In addition to its presence in the cigar industry, Boveda humidification is also marketed towards pipe tobacco, wood instruments, herbal medicines and food storage.

This deal with Xikar, which is based in Kansas, is the first time that Boveda has leant its technology to a cigar accessories company. The Xikar-branded, two-way humidification inserts will begin shipping to retailers in September. Enditem