Xicato Offers Lighting Industry's First Color Consistency Warranty

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Xicato, a leading developer of LED modules for retail, hospitality and architectural environments, today announced a new warranty program that sets an entirely new benchmark for the lighting industry. The Xicato "Five-Year Color Consistency and Lumen Maintenance Warranty" is the first industry warranty that guarantees modules in an installation will deliver visually consistent light from luminaire to luminaire for a five-year period. End users and specifiers alike can now act with confidence knowing that, finally, there is legitimate backing for the long-term performance of an LED-based lighting installation.

"Our warranty is unprecedented within our industry in terms of its scope. No other light source maker, LED or otherwise guarantees color consistency," said Menko de Roos, co-founder and CEO of Xicato. "The innovation that enabled Xicato to set the standard for initial color consistency of LED modules that, today, remains the best in the industry, has directly led to our unmatched consistency over time."

To further end-user and specifier confidence, Xicato approached Munich Re to evaluate Xicato's Corrected Cold Phosphor Technology^®, product qualification and manufacturing processes to assess the risk of a potential product failure, and to underwrite an insurance policy backing the new warranty. Munich Re's decision to underwrite was ultimately based on that review, a lack of LED module field returns and up to 9,000 hours of reliability testing.

"We are delighted to have concluded the first contract of this kind for LED module technology with Xicato," said Thomas Blunck, member of Munich Re's Board of Management. "As with other performance warranty covers, we relieve manufacturers or investors of part of the risk, thereby facilitating the use of new technologies."

The new warranty, without fine print, will be granted to luminaires that have successfully passed Xicato's rigorous Thermal Validation Program (TVP). First launched in 2011, the TVP has allowed OEMs, at no cost, to submit their luminaires for testing and certification. The TVP typically takes less than a week.

A copy of the complete warranty, as well as a current list of validated luminaires that carry the warranty, is available on Xicato's website, www.xicato.com.

About Xicato

Xicato is passionate about light. Light has an emotional effect on people and a direct impact on business profitability. It ultimately influences everything in our lives. Xicato is a recognized leader in creating LED modules that provide superior aesthetics, economics and durability. Xicato aspires to be the trusted partner of the global lighting design community and luminaire manufacturers.

About Munich Re

Munich Re stands for exceptional solution-based expertise, consistent risk management, financial stability and client proximity. Munich Re creates value for clients, shareholders and staff alike. In the financial year 2011, the Group – which combines primary insurance and reinsurance under one roof – achieved a profit of €0.71bn on premium income of around €50bn. It operates in all lines of insurance, with around 47,000 employees throughout the world. With premium income of around €27bn from reinsurance alone, it is one of the world's leading reinsurers.

SOURCE Xicato