Our Story
Sencer Appraisal Associates traces its formal appraisal history to 1955, though the Sencer family’s involvement in the machinery and equipment industry began decades earlier.
In the 1930s, Philip Sencer worked as an auctioneer in New York City, eventually expanding his services to include machinery and equipment appraisals. His son, Richard Sencer, continued the family’s work through Tunnel Machinery Exchange in Lower Manhattan. In 1955, he began providing machinery and equipment appraisals alongside the company’s machinery sales operations.
In 1981, Bernard Sencer, Richard’s son and the third generation of Sencer appraisers, joined the firm after a career in the financial industry. Under his leadership, the company continued to expand its appraisal practice and broaden its work across industries and geographic regions.
New York City’s Tunnel Machinery Exchange, as shown in a 1973 NYC landmark designation report.
Although Tunnel Machinery Exchange has since closed, and Philip, Richard, and Bernard are no longer with us, the principles they established continue to guide the firm today: independence, professional integrity, market-based analysis, and a commitment to credible and defensible valuation services.
Over the decades, Sencer Appraisal Associates grew from a regional appraisal practice into a national machinery and equipment valuation firm. Today, we provide machinery and equipment appraisal services throughout the United States and globally, supported by offices on both the East and West Coasts and a network of experienced associates. Our reports are relied on by the IRS, by lenders and the SBA, by the USDA, by the courts, and for financial reporting under U.S. GAAP and International Valuation Standards.
Our Principals
East Coast and West Coast offices offer services across the United States, North America, and globally, supported by a network of expert associates.
Matthew Edelstein
ASA
Principal · Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania office
Matthew is an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers with a designation in Machinery & Equipment Appraisal.
Matt’s experience includes the valuation of machinery and equipment for financial reporting, gift and estate tax, asset-based lending, litigation support, corporate planning, due diligence, and eminent domain. He has performed appraisals for clients ranging from individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized companies to local, state, and federal government agencies and Fortune 500 corporations across a wide range of industries, including construction and transportation, agriculture and food processing, fast food franchises and sit-down restaurants, wineries and breweries, medical and healthcare, and manufacturing.
Matthew has also served as an expert witness in valuation matters in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. He currently serves as President of the ASA Southern New Jersey Chapter and holds the ASA Healthcare Valuation Program credential. Based outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he has performed appraisals for clients throughout the United States, as well as for clients in Europe, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico.
Garrett Schwartz
ASA, CEA
Principal · Oakland, California office
Garrett is an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers with a designation in Machinery & Equipment Appraisal and a Certified Equipment Appraiser of the Association of Machinery & Equipment Appraisers.
Garrett’s experience includes the valuation of machinery and equipment for financial reporting, gift and estate tax, asset-based lending, litigation support, corporate planning, and due diligence purposes. He has performed appraisals for clients ranging from privately held businesses and regional lenders to government agencies and Fortune 500 corporations across a broad range of industries, including agriculture and food processing, cannabis, coffee, wineries and breweries, construction and transportation, manufacturing, and medical and healthcare.
Garrett has been actively involved in the appraisal profession through the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), including service as International President and Chair of the International Board of Governors. He also served as editor of ASA’s textbook, Valuing Machinery & Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets (Fourth Edition, 2020). Based in Northern California, Garrett has performed appraisal assignments throughout the United States as well as for clients in Asia, Europe, Canada, and Mexico.
Need to talk to an appraiser about project?
Tell us what equipment you need valued, why the valuation is needed, and any timelines or required deadlines. We will tell you how we can help.
Call 888-473-6237 or request a proposal.