You're right SSB about BJ wanting Menlo exclusively several years ago at first. He approached CNW to try to buy Menlo from them. There was no deal cause Conway said,"Buy the whole package or forget about Menlo". BJ didn't want assets back then ...so he walked away from that offer. Then BJ was told by a number of his bigger accounts in his brokerage business that they may not re-sign any new contracts w/ him cause he didn't have any guaranteed capacity or assets, (trucks and terminals), for their shipments. Consequently BJ wanted that capacity and therefore got his feet wet by acquiring ND. This move assured him a more favorable seat at the negotiating table w/ his shippers. As a result of the ND deal...BJ began to really warm up to the idea of owning assets. Menlo grabbed his attention again and also the idea of owning trucking assets in the states. Bottom line... he went to Conway a 2nd time w/ the intent of acquiring not just Menlo, but the whole package, trucks and all.
My point? BJ will keep all of the companies that he's acquired thus far since 2011, (what is the number 15 or more by now?) in his quest and ambition of building his ww brand. Will he sell XPO? Most likely when he gets ready to retire some day. When he does sell XPO, it won't be piece
meal. He'll sell it as the living and breathing entity that it will surely have become by then. It will survive on it's own just as WM and UR do today w/o BJ.