Scott Swail, Director of North American Sales for Boveda – Interview Series

Of the many factors involved in ensuring a healthy and potent yield, one of the absolute most important necessities for cannabis manufacturers and large-scale packagers is hydration packs. Especially for cannabis flower stored by the pound—and for large facilities packaging hundreds of pounds weekly—these small but powerful packs make a world of difference in everything from moisture retention to terpene and cannabinoid preservation. In fact, hydration packs are so versatile that several other product categories and agricultural industries could benefit from them as well.

For a deeper look into the importance of hydration packs and how useful they can be outside the cannabis industry, mycannabis.com had the pleasure of speaking with Scott Swail, Director of North American Sales for Boveda.

What interested you about working with Boveda and their products? What did being an intern for Boveda usually consist of?

In college I thought I wanted to be a science major so during my freshman year term I got the opportunity to work in Boveda’s lab under one of the co-inventors of our technology. I helped with many random tasks in the lab but my main job was to help mix new formulas for our Boveda solution, the secret sauce that allows Boveda to do what it does. It was fascinating learning about all of the different products that our technology could be applied to. While I loved my time in the lab and learned so much about the technology I quickly realized I did not want to be a science major. 

What are some of your regular duties as Director of North American Sales? What have been some of the most successful customer rapport-building strategies you’ve taken to boost both sales and the reputation of Boveda?

My day to day can vary at Boveda but in general my focus is closing deals with larger scale cannabis producers across North America. Whether you need help with curing, backend bulk  storage, or small packs for your retail packaged flower we help maintain freshness so the end customer has the intended experience with said product. In simple terms we keep things fresh.  

We really try to show our customers (the producer in this case) the problem we are solving for them. Is your cure hard to scale? We can help. Do you have 100’s or 1000’s of pounds in a vault? We can help make sure that product doesn’t go “bad”. Are you a consumer brand looking  to improve the quality of your product for your end consumer? We can help ensure your product is protected while it sits on the shelf. We aren’t the star of the show, just the sidekick that helps your product be the best version of itself. 

Because your role covers all of North America and includes both the Canadian and  American cannabis industries, what would you say are the most notable ways that the needs of the American and Canadian markets and their businesses change depending on where they’re located?

While both markets are similar to a degree, they are very different. For example in Canada, a lot of the commercial producers are exporting their products to other international markets. The way we get our products into that type of packaging requires a lot more attention to detail along with a whole set of quality standards that need to be met in order to be included in the  packaging. Thankfully we have a high quality standard at Boveda and have worked over the last  5 years to prepare our products for these highly regulated markets. At the end of the day the overarching outcome we provide for people doesn’t change based on location, we keep products fresh. 

Based on your role, what regions/markets of America and Canada usually purchase hydration/humidity packs at higher quantities than others? How do outdoor climates impact how much a cultivation facility uses Boveda’s products?

Typically drier and more humid climates have a greater need for humidity control. But even in those “perfect” climates there is a need. For example it might be the perfect temp and RH outside but what happens when you are storing your flower in an AC controlled house? Or what happens when you are a brand shipping product across the state in a delivery truck that’s baking in the sun all day? There are so many outside factors that can impact this, why take the risk? Boveda acts as your insurance policy when you no longer have control over the outside environment. 

From your own experience for so many years as an Account Manager, why are you using hydration/humidity packs in cannabis curing and packaging so crucial?

We have said this for many years, but using Boveda allows you to create standardization within your packaging and storage. There are 100’s of brands out there, when you have one shot with a consumer why risk them getting an overly dried product? Chances are next time they go to re-up they will try a different brand. We help create that repeatable consistent experience. 

How is the Vivi brand different from other Boveda products while still utilizing the expertise and precision that their parent company is known for?

The great thing about Vivi is we are using the same technology you know and came to love with the Boveda products. The change from Boveda to Vivi is not a technology change, it is a rebrand. Boveda has served as the brand for us in 4 different markets (food, tobacco, cannabis,  and wooden instruments) and as we’ve grown we needed to create dedicated brands for each of the markets we serve. This means a more industry specific brand that directly meets the needs of our customers in those markets. It’s been a massive undertaking but we are excited about the future of Vivi and Boveda as a whole. Same team, same tech, just a brand dedicated to cannabis.

Outside of cannabis, what are some industries and product types that greatly benefit from the hydration packs that Boveda produces?

Really any product that is moisture sensitive could benefit from one of Boveda’s technology. We have worked with a lot of different companies over the years on different projects from Nasa, to Rolls Royce, to 3M all helping them solve a moisture problem. Our core markets that we serve are Premium Tobacco, Cannabis, Wooden instruments, and Food products. Each requires precise humidity control for optimal use and longevity. 

How do you think that hydration pack technology could continue to evolve as the needs of cannabis cultivators change simultaneously?

We are always looking at different sizes and configurations. I think the Cure pack was a prime example of us looking at certain pain points in the growing process and then playing around with our different technologies to see how we could streamline and simplify that process for growers. 

Thank you for joining us, Scott! For more information on Boveda and its products, please visit its website.