# THE MERCHANTS COMPANY (USDOT 78889)

> THE MERCHANTS COMPANY (USDOT 78889) has a Vektor safety score of 88/100 and a Clear to load verdict, from the carrier's FMCSA record refreshed Aug 4, 2026.
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> The carrier holds active common for-hire operating authority per FMCSA L&I as of Aug 4, 2026.
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> It has an active BIPD insurance filing with a $0 limit in force from LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. effective Aug 1, 2022 in FMCSA L&I's current snapshot as of Aug 4, 2026.
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> Its vehicle out-of-service rate was 15.9% over the last 24 months, versus the 22.26% CVSA national average, from FMCSA roadside-inspection data refreshed Aug 4, 2026.
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> The carrier received 143 roadside inspections in the last 24 months — 63 vehicle-level and 143 driver-level — across 8 states, according to FMCSA roadside-inspection data refreshed Aug 4, 2026.
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> The carrier has 14 reportable crashes in the last 24 months and 5 fatal crashes across the full FMCSA crash record available as of Aug 4, 2026.
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> It reports 258 power units and 276 drivers in its most recent MCS-150 filing dated Oct 28, 2025.
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> It has an FMCSA safety rating of Satisfactory assigned May 29, 2002 in the federal record refreshed Aug 4, 2026.

## Verdict
- Vektor verdict: Clear to load
- Vektor safety score: 88/100 (0–100, higher is safer)
- FMCSA snapshot: Aug 4, 2026

## Authority & insurance
- Common for-hire authority: Active
- Contract for-hire authority: None
- Broker authority: None
- BIPD insurance: Active filing — $0 limit · LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. · effective Aug 1, 2022

## Safety — FMCSA roadside record, trailing 24 months
- Roadside inspections (24 months): 143 — 63 vehicle-level, 143 driver-level
- Vehicle out-of-service rate (24 months): 15.9% — vs 22.26% CVSA national average, at or below benchmark
- Driver out-of-service rate (24 months): 2.1% — vs 6.67% CVSA national average, at or below benchmark
- Reportable crashes (24 months): 14
- Fatal crashes (full FMCSA record): 5
- FMCSA safety rating (separate federal field): Satisfactory, assigned May 29, 2002

## Fleet
- Power units: 258
- Drivers: 276
- Most recent MCS-150 filing: Oct 28, 2025

## Identity
- USDOT: 78889
- Docket: MC-350289
- Legal name: THE MERCHANTS COMPANY
- Doing business as: MERCHANTS FOODSERVICE
- Domicile: HATTIESBURG, MS
- Hazmat: Yes
- Registered with FMCSA: Jun 1, 1974
- States with observed roadside inspections: 8

Source: FMCSA public records via the U.S. DOT Open Data Portal · data as of Aug 4, 2026. A Vektor verdict is deterministic decision support computed from that record — not an FMCSA safety rating and not an endorsement.

Canonical profile: https://vektortms.com/directory/trucking-companies/the-merchants-company-usdot-78889