"We've built a facility focused on automation and efficiency, allowing us to produce over 100 grams of high-quality flower per square foot," shares Jarrod Falite, Co-Founder of Bostica. Located in Lynn, Massachusetts, the Tier 4 cultivator operates a 60,000-square-foot facility with 35,000 square feet of vertical canopy, including triple-tiered vegetation rooms and double-tiered flower rooms. "When encountering Fluence at a trade show, we realized that doubling our canopy and using LED lights made perfect sense," Jarrod added.
Putting efficiency first
In a mature Massachusetts market that is experiencing price compression, Bostica's approach is to focus on efficiency. "The team is small but highly effective, utilizing environmental and operational data to enhance decision-making. We're deliberate and cautious with every move," Jarrod says. This careful planning extends to the strains they cultivate. With 18 proprietary strains, Bostica emphasizes traits that align with their vertical setup, such as appropriate plant height, and deprioritizes traits like dense foliage that are too labor intensive. "Some strains may be great for home growers or single-tier growers, but they're not suitable for our high-efficiency operation," Jarrod notes.
Coming from a family with more than 40 years of experience in the HVAC business, Jarrod brings a unique advantage to Bostica. "That experience allows me to identify and solve facility challenges quickly," he says. "This knowledge proved invaluable during the commissioning phase of the facility and whenever technical issues arise."
Choosing LED lights
Jarrod recalls first encountering Fluence at a trade show in 2018, at a time when HPS was still a popular choice among growers. "We saw vertical racks with their LED lights and immediately recognized the potential to double our canopy using LEDs." Since then, Fluence's SPYDR fixtures have become integral to Bostica's operations.
Tim Kiefer, Sales Manager North America at Fluence, praises Bostica's forward-thinking approach: "Jarrod and his team built their operation the right way, focusing on efficiency and scalability from the beginning. They put themselves ahead of the others that way."
The SPYDR fixtures are specifically designed for multi-tier setups, enabling optimal light distribution while generating less heat than traditional HPS systems. "They've allowed us to achieve great yields and preserve terpenes," Jarrod shares. "Features like dimming and sunset simulation make a significant difference in plant performance and energy efficiency."
A wild ride
Both Bostica and Fluence view their partnership as a wild ride, evolving along with the cannabis industry. "We've learned a lot together to create better solutions and products for cannabis growers," Tim says. Jarrod echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Fluence's dedication to service: "Their team includes experts in different sectors who provide great support. If you have a question, they've probably seen it before and know the answer."
For more information:
Fluence
https://fluence-led.com/
Bostica
[email protected]
https://www.bostica.com/