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tariff policy

Effective August 1, 2025, new US government import tariffs on European goods, potentially up to 30%, will impact pricing. Any changes to these tariffs—whether they are implemented, reduced, or eliminated—will result in an adjustment or additional tariff line item surcharge. For orders invoiced prior to August 1, 2025, a separate invoice will be issued for the new EU import tariff cost difference. Also note that products will not be shipped from the factory until all invoices are paid in full.

Please note that this is not an official ruling just yet, as trade negotiations remain ongoing. The tariff situation has been unclear and changing on a monthly basis, so any updates on the matter will be communicated to you as we receive the news.

euro exchange information

Due to fluctuations in the USD/EUR exchange rate, a currency surcharge will be added to all quotes reflecting current market conditions. This change is effective as of Friday, July 11th. The standard currency surcharge will be approximately 15% .


Return policy

Due to the custom nature of these products, MWE ladders and accessories are non-returnable, non-cancellable after release for production (read details in Terms & Conditions)

lead time

Products ship direct via air freight within 1-2 weeks from manufacturing.

ladders in standard satin stainless steel 4-6 weeks

ladders in polished 6-8 weeks

ladders in powder coated, polished, 24k gold 8-10 weeks

MODERN LADDER FAQ

  • How much weight can these ladders carry? MWE ladders can carry up to 330-pounds.

  • What's the tallest ladder MWE can make? MWE can make realistically usable ladders of up to 15' feet or so.  The determining factor is the  weight of the ladder itself.  Stainless steel is a dense and heavy material and a taller ladder can become heavy and cumbersome to move.  MWE can provide casters at the bottom of the ladder, but these casters have a weight-activated braking system, so at around 12-14' the weight of the ladder itself would activate the casters, making them inoperable.  At those heights, ladders would weigh 70-80 lbs., which might be an issue for many users.

  • How wide are the ladders? Can I get a custom width? The standard ladder width is 17". Please check the drawings for each ladder type for more information. Custom widths are available for upcharge, but the width change cannot be so large that tube rungs would deflect with usage. 

  • What is the distance between steps? It's 250mm (9-13/16") which has been tested and confirmed to be the most ergonomic

  • What is the standard standing angle for all ladders? The standard angle of all models is 10,° except Positionable SL.6000.AK/KL/EVO which are 20°. Custom angles between 8°to 12° are possible but result in an up-charge and longer lead times customizations are subject to the manufacturer's consent.  

  • How much do the ladders weigh? A Standard 8 ft. Ladder with rungs weighs around 25 lbs. Below is a chart detailing the estimated number of rungs/treads and ladder weight for different heights. The weight of the ladder is important to consider if you are considering a hook ladder that you would want to move from one rail to another . 

 
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delivery information

It is your responsibility to carefully check the items being delivered for any indications that there may be damage. This includes but is not limited to, missing base feet on the crate, dents or alarming scuffs, missing tape or end caps on tubes, holes in boxes or in the wood of a crate. Questionable tape or zip ties around boxes or crates should be noted as well

2 - 3 Able-bodied people will need to be available to lift crate from delivery truck CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING THE CRATE FROM THE TRUCK AND TO FINAL LOCATION Advise in advance if the following options are required, additional charges will apply: 1.) a truck with lift gate, 2.) exact delivery appointment time (24 hour notice is standard), 3.) delivery of crate to specific location (curbside delivery is standard)

 
Reportable crate damage

damaged crate

Report any damage within 3 days of receiving a shipment

Boxed ladder

Boxes and tubes arrive well taped on the ends and in the mid sections. Boxes contain the ladder and tubes will include the rails and accessories.

 

Crated ladder

Open crate carefully by removing the screwed lid, do not pry the lid open! Check all content, photograph as necessary should damage be obvious.

INSTALLATION

  • How do I prep for installation of the rail? For a drywall install, the 40mm and 50mm diameter mounts are recommended and solid blocking is required for the entire length of the rail. For mounting onto wood cabinetry or shelving, smaller rosette diameters may be specified. 

  • How do I keep my ladder looking gorgeous? We sell the best cleaner MWE has found for their stainless steel. After years of testing they settled on this formula. Considering how much time they spend cleaning stainless steel, they would know. Buy it now at BetterBuildingHardware.com

  • Do the wheels on the auto-lock casters mark the floor? No. The amber color rubber has been chosen to avoid marking floors 

  • How high does the hook move above the rail when a hook ladder is in its vertical position? A Hook ladder will not slide along the rail due to heavy-duty felt backing, the ladder will require lifting.

  • How deep is a standard ladder with steps when it is in the vertical position? > 3-1/8" (80mm)

  • How deep is a standard ladder with steps and Safety Rails? > 6-1/2" (165mm)  

The proper care of stainless steel

  • Spray stainless steel cleaner onto the surface generously (spray distance 4 in.) and wipe

  • clean with a dry MWE microfiber cloth.

  • Repeat the process if streaking occurs.

  • The MWE stainless steel cleaner prevents stubborn dirt.

  • To clean small surfaces, spray the stainless steel cleaner directly onto the MWE microfiber

  • cloth to protect surroundings from being affected by the mist of the spray.

Proper care of polished stainless steel

  • Stainless steel surfaces can be cleaned with all non-abrasive cleaners. The most gentle

  • detergent is water.

  • Prior to any further treatment, the stainless steel parts should always be rinsed with plenty

  • of water to remove dust, sand and other particles that would scratch the surface during

  • polishing.

  • Water with the addition of a commercially available dishwashing detergent, or first undiluted

  • dish-washing detergent and then plenty of water, normally eliminates any soiling.

powder coating

A touch-up pen is available for purchase

The pen exists of two different parts. The color is in the pen-head, and the transparent lacquering liquid is down below in the bin where the paintbrush is.

Open the transparent rigid plastic of the pen head, which stores the color. Then open the solvent or binder pin, filling the powder-color into it. This needs to be mixed by shaking it well and then it can be applied.

2 Year limited warranty

MWE, N.A. Corporation (“Seller”) warrants that the Products purchased from Seller be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from date of shipment. Seller’s liability under this warranty is expressly limited to repairing or replacing, at Seller’s option, any Product that, in Seller’s sole judgment, does not meet the warranty set forth above. SELLER MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMI-TED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Seller’s liability under this warranty shall not include any transportation charges or cost of installation, replacement, field repair, or other charges related to returning Products to Seller, or any liability for direct, indirect, or consequential damage or delay. Products or parts for which a warranty claim is made are to be returned transportation prepaid to Seller. Any improper use, operation beyond intended usage, substitution of parts not approved by Seller, or any alte-ration or repair by parties other than Seller that Seller’s sole judgment affects the Product materially and adversely shall void this warranty. NO EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF SELLER OR ANY OTHER PARTY SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE WARRANTY IN ANY WAY OR GRANT OTHER WARRANTY UNLESS SUCH CHANGE IS MADE IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY AN OFFICER OF SELLER AT ITS HOME OFFICE. SELLER’S LIABILITY WILL IN NO EVENT BE GREATER IN AMOUNT THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE RETURNED PRODUCTS. SELLER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE FOR SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES.