How Does Depreciation Affect Your Equipment’s Value?

For accounting purposes, depreciation is defined as a decrease in the value of an asset as a result of wear and tear, age, or obsolescence.  Thus most assets lose value or depreciate over the course of their lifetime and need to be replaced once they reach the end of their lifecycle.  However when machinery and equipment assets are appraised, depreciation is handled in a slightly different manner. 

The NEBB Institute, who among other things certifies professionals in the art of machinery/equipmentappraisals, explains that depreciation has a different meaning to machinery and equipment appraisers.  They add that, “To appraisers, depreciation is the estimated decrease in value of an asset from its initial purchase price.  The estimated decrease is based on a number of criteria, such as physical, functional, and/or economic factors.”  In other words it may not matter what the actual age is of a piece of equipment, but rather if it is operational and still used in the industry.  Finally the most important fact that impacts the value of the asset is, “How strong is the market demand”?

By having a professional appraisal done before you try to market your surplus equipment, will help to ensure you get the maximum value for your assets.  Additionally there are some circumstances where it is not only a good idea but may be required for insurance purposes, mergers and acquisitions and in orderly or forced liquidations. 

Another reason that certified appraisals make sense is they are more readily accepted by financial institutions and corporations as well as the IRS and the courts.   Keep in mind that appraisals are defined by factors such as replacement cost for new or used equipment or machinery, fair market value, geographic location and specialized design and/or modification.  Other considerations that impact value are technological obsolescence and industry trends as well as economic fluctuations. 

 Sources: nebbinstitute.wordpress.com/

Rabin Worldwide is an international company that specializes in creating liquidity for complex manufacturing facilities with idle or marginally productive assets.  Rabin’s operations include selling entire plants, multiple plant locations, or surplus individual items by auction or liquidation and much more. Past auctions include names such as Hostess, Braniff Airlines, Montgomery Ward, and the Railway Express Agency.  Please contact us to discover how we may assist with your asset liquidation process.