Why Did John D. Rockefeller Buy the Strongest Refiners First?

David Senra says John D. Rockefeller bought the strongest refiners first because taking the top few in a new territory made everyone else fall in line. He started with the most powerful and most advanced plants, the best competitors. The executives had each been the leading operator in an important region and were not used to taking orders. They still accepted his view that consolidation was the way through, that Standard Oil would be the only company left, and that he would lead it.

One target's son recalled that his father examined Standard Oil's books, was astonished at the profits, and agreed to sell for stock. The first round of deals had to stay secret. Bought companies kept their managers and their names, then acquired more refiners in the region under their own name, with their own stock or cash. After the first couple of deals, the pull to join was hard to resist. Senra says Rockefeller reported a deal almost every other day. Morris writes that the secrecy gave Standard an unfair advantage, and Senra says speed mattered more to Rockefeller than price.