Robert Bosch will cut up to 400 jobs, or about a third of the workforce at a windscreen wiper factory in Tienen, Belgium.

The German supplier said the cuts are a result of increased competition. The company said it aims to make the production process at the plant more efficient through automation.

Bosch said it is in talks with unions to keep as many jobs as possible at the site.

“It’s a tough message. On Monday, we will meet with management to see how we will deal with this restructuring,” said Georges Jacquemin of the union ACV.

The Tienen site has an r&d unit and produces wiper arms, wiper blades and rubber for windscreen wipers.

The cuts will be implemented by 2020, Bosch said.