Food producer Mars Inc. has opened a Global Food Safety Center, which it says is a first-of-its-kind facility for pre-competitive research and training that aims to raise global food safety standards through collaboration.

Douglas Schoch, vice president of Siemens Capital Co. LLC, describes the changes he's seen in the field of supply-chain finance in recent years. He also talks about the keys to successful implementation of a supply-chain financing program.

Speaking at this year's International Union of Marine Insurance conference in Berlin, Simon Williams, chairman of IUMI's offshore energy committee, reported continuous growth in the sector with 2015 capacity reaching around $7bn, although he cautioned that $5.5bn was more realistic.

Large cargo losses are having a significant impact on the marine insurance sector, says Nick Derrick, chairman of International Union of Marine Insurance's cargo committee. He spoke in Berlin, at IUMI's annual conference.

Jim Preuninger, chief executive officer of Amber Road, outlines the challenges that companies face, when they seek to integrate product design with sourcing. Their success or failure promise to have a significant impact on the supply chain, he says.