ST. LOUIS – Merit Moving Systems, Inc., Buena Park, Calif., has been recognized as United Van Lines’ Agent of the Month for October 2005. Merit was selected from among more than 475 United Van Lines agencies eligible for the distinction.

Three agencies were named runners-up for the honor: Hilldrup Moving & Storage, Burlington, N.C.; Hilldrup Moving & Storage, Charlotte, N.C.; and Barrett Moving & Storage Company, Eden Prairie, Minn.

United’s Agent of the Month program recognizes agents that rank best in the areas of customer service, vehicle safety, low claims experience and operational performance. Statistical measures are applied to all agencies that have been affiliated with the van line for at least two years, with the final selections based on this data and day-to-day coordination between the agency and United.

United Van Lines, with headquarters in suburban St. Louis, is the nation’s largest household goods mover and maintains a network of 1,000 affiliated agencies in 135 countries. More information about United and its services can be obtained through the company’s Web site at www.unitedvanlines.com.