Company

A RELIABLE PARTNER SINCE 1978.

Bristow Truck and Equipment Specialists, Inc. is a claims adjusting and heavy equipment appraisal service with experience in virtually every type of heavy equipment seen in the construction market today. From lattice boom crawler and mobile cranes, to locomotives, to tractors and trailers and barges, there aren’t too many pieces of equipment in the construction industry that we haven’t seen and appraised over the last three decades.

Our roots stretch back to 1978, and in the time that has passed since then, we’ve evolved into a full-service claims adjusting and appraisal resource that operates across a number of industries—forestry, oilfield, mining, manufacturing, industrial, steel, crane and rigging, heavy hauling, energy (wind and power plant), and maritime.

We work with insurance companies, policyholders, and owners to ensure that each piece of equipment—regardless of how large or small, how expensive or inexpensive—is appraised, investigated, and assigned the correct value. We take into consideration things like age, availability, wear and tear—among other seldom-considered market factors like region and environment—and we allocate values that are current, accurate, and precise.

our mission & values

Truck and Equipment Specialists is committed to providing accurate heavy equipment appraisals, investigations, and claims adjusting services honestly, fairly, and urgently.

Honesty

We do the right thing for all parties involved, no matter what—whether it's the insurance company, the salvage company, or the client. 

Fairness

Regardless of whose money, time, or equipment is on the line, we're fair about it. We appraise and investigate to the same standard every single time. 

Urgency

We know that time is money, and we strive for immediacy in everything we do. We don't make you wait and we communicate with you every step of the way. 

Leadership

Howard (JR) Bristow, president and CEO, founded Truck & Equipment Specialists in 1978 after cutting his teeth by working in his father’s auto body shop. JR grew up the proverbial “grease monkey,” learning about engines and axles while lying on the dirty cement floor of a garage and changing oil. From those early experiences, JR moved on to other categories of equipment, eventually becoming specialized in most categories of construction and marine equipment.

Over the years, JR has provided expert witness testimony in numerous cases involving heavy construction accidents. He has acted as the heavy equipment consultant to the New York City Department of Design and Construction and holds active memberships to the Crane Certification Association of America (CCAA), the Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association (SC&RA), and the Truck Axle & Frame Repair Association (TARA).

JR brings expertise, a strong work ethic, and a relentless commitment to do what’s right to heavy construction equipment appraisal and claim adjudication.

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Howard (JR) Bristow, president and CEO

Over the years, we've had the opportunity to work for some of the largest insurance carrieRs, the biggest crane, truck, and heavy equipment manufacturers, and just about everyone in between.