Vance Publishing Corporation, Lincolnshire, Ill., is consolidating the company's food-related assets into a single business unit, creating a greater focus and synergy among all properties.

Vance Publishing Corporation, Lincolnshire, Ill., is consolidating the company's food-related assets into a single business unit, creating a greater focus and synergy among all properties. This new business unit will encompass properties targeting two principal value chains delivering a major portion of the American diet. The produce value chain component will be led by Robb Bertels, vice president, publishing director, and will include the existing produce division and add responsibilities for Redbook Credit Rating Service, The Grower and Citrus & Vegetable publications. The animal foods value chain component will be led by Cliff Becker, who is promoted to vice president, publishing director. This component will include the existing food systems group and will add responsibilities for the agriculture retail publication Dealer & Applicator and reference database of the Greenbook properties. Bill Newham, a 25-year veteran with the company, has been named senior vice president and will direct this newly formed foods business unit, located in Vance's Lenexa, Kan., offices.