The press manufacturer has concluded negotiations over the cuts with unions and worker representatives at its Albert-Frankenthal and KBA-FT Engineering sites, which are both located in Frankenthal.

The move had been on the cards as part of KBA’s Fit@All restructuring programme. At the half-year KBA flagged that the high costs of idle facilities due to a dearth of web press orders had hit operating profits in its web and special press division.

At Albert-Frankenthal the number of employees will be more than halved, as the site is reduced from 222 to just 84 employees. KBA-FT Engineering will shrink to 80 roles from 149. A further 28 positions will go through natural wastage.

Albert-Frankenthal makes press rollers for web, sheetfed and security presses, while KBA-FT Engineering, which was spun off from the Frankenthal site in 2011, makes folders for web presses and carries out precision engineering for external clients. Around 85% of its work is for KBA.

KBA said it regretted the job losses, but said there was “no other option” after attempts to bring in other work for the sites failed.

A provision has already been made for related restructuring costs of more than €20m (£15.6m).

All the roles will be made redundant by the end of next month, with transition arrangements in place for affected employees. “They will have the opportunity to qualify for a new position for one year at a transitional company from 1 January 2015,” KBA stated.

The Frankenthal facility was set up in 1861 by Andreas Albert, a former Koenig & Bauer master craftsman. It became part of the KBA Group in 1990.

KBA came close to break-even at the half-year, with the full impact of the Fit@All programme expected to flow through in the second half.