any reasons to compile apache instead of using distribution binaries ?

Hi I'm curios how others are handling packages on production servers. Curently our sysadmins compile openssl,apache,php and other libraries from sources. Do you think it would be better (easier to maintain) to install apache and other libraries from rpm, and from sources only php? Remember in some companies even the kernel is upgraded from rpm b/c of easier maintenance and less chances to screw something up. Thanks, -- Marius Andreiana