As chief operating officer for Quebecor World Europe Fernandez's remit will cover all of the group's European operations with the exception of France. He joined the group in 1996 when it acquired Altair.

The two men are currently working together for a handover period. Dickin retires at the end of June after 47 years in print.

Quebecor World president and chief executive officer Pierre Karl Pladeau praised Dickin for his "exemplary service...John's determination and hard work have contributed greatly to our success and I know he will be missed by our customers and our employees," he said.

See earlier story here.

[O] Quebecor is restructuring its magazine printing operations in the United States, and will close its Effingham plant with the loss of 600 jobs. However, the restructure will also involve "additional investment in new technologies", and some of Effingham's equipment will be moved to other plants, where 200 jobs are likely to be created.

When the group announced its first quarter results earlier this month Pladeau said it was "dedicated to further reducing costs and improving efficiencies across our global platform".