in most cases, companies by companies to fill the gaps the already have. FedEx bought Watkins which supported their efforts in canada without using a partner like most do. same reason why R+L bought gator, greenwood, and coy...to broaden their coverage area by utilizing the acquisitions....in my mind it would make no sense at all for a fedex to buy r+l, or eith OD for that matter. most companies that buy companies for the sake of buying usually struggle for many years. look at Yellow-Roadway, DHL-airborne....i think were all safe from being purchased by any major carrier. any small carrier could not afford r+l!