The Chemical Show: Where Leaders Talk Business

Uncertainty is fading and M&A activity is heating up in the chemicals and materials industry for 2026. Host Victoria King Meyer speaks with Jon Glapa of Grace Matthews about why the year ahead is shaping up to be strong for dealmaking. They discuss how greater strategic clarity, market stability, and disciplined capital deployment are spurring renewed confidence among buyers and sellers. 


Victoria and Jon explore the contrasting approaches of private equity and strategic buyers; the pitfalls mid-market companies face in M&A preparation, and actionable leadership advice for chemical executives. The conversation centers on the need for early preparation, customer focus, and a clear five-year vision as keys to navigating the evolving landscape of deals and growth. 

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Victoria and Jon expand on the following topics: 
 
  • Inside Chemical M&A: What makes a company an attractive target   
  • Navigating uncertainty and how leaders managed 2025’s volatile market   
  • Key drivers behind deal valuations and multiples   
  • Private Equity vs. Strategics: Who’s winning chemical industry deals?   
  • Preparing your business for future transactions 
 
Killer Quote: "I tend to think of uncertainty as the enemy of M&A. You can navigate through certain dynamics, but when uncertainty increases, it becomes more and more challenging." – Jon Glapa 
 
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Sponsored by:
World Petrochemical Conference by S&P Global on March 23-27, 2026.
Use the code ChemShowWPC26 at wpc.spglobal.com

Creators and Guests

Host
Victoria Meyer
Host of The Chemical Show; founder and President of Progressio Global

What is The Chemical Show: Where Leaders Talk Business?

Looking to lead, grow, and stay ahead in the trillion-dollar global chemical industry? The Chemical Show - the #1 business podcast for the chemical industry - is your go-to resource for leadership insights, business strategies, and real-world lessons from the executives shaping the future of chemicals. Grow your knowledge, your network, and your impact.

Each week, you'll hear from executives from across the industry - from Fortune 50 to midsize to startups. You’ll hear how they're tacking today's challenges and opportunities, their origin story (what got them here!), how you can take and apply these lessons and insights to your own business and career.

We talk:
- Business Transformation
- Innovation
- Digitization of business
- Strategy
- Supply Chain
- and so much more

Founder and host Victoria King Meyer is an expert interviewer - who brings out the best in each guest. She gained her industry experience at leading companies, including Shell, LyondellBasell and Clariant. Today, she is a high-performance coach and advisor to business leaders in chemicals and energy, as well as the host of The Chemical Show podcast, and founder of The Chemical Summit.

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Websites:
https://www.thechemicalshow.com
https://www.thechemicalsummit.com
https://www.progressioglobal.com