As part of its major restructuring plan,  National Grid, announced plans to layoff over 1,200 manufacturing workers at its plant in Western New York. The Massachusetts-based multinational company said that it will concentrate its efforts on bolstering local performance, elevating customer service and delivering more efficient products to its clients. The job cuts are expected to reduce the company costs by roughly $200 million, which will be used for other development efforts. The layoff is slated for March of 2012.

Along with the job cuts, the company has introduced a new set of leaders to lead the companywide restructuring scheme. The new regional presidents are: Marcy Reed, Massachusetts; Kenneth Daly, New York; Timothy Horan, Rhode Island/New Hampshire; John Bruckner, Long Island; and Peter Flynn, FERC Regulated Businesses and distribution system on Long Island.

Tom King, President of National Grid in the US, said that laying off its workers is one of the most difficult decisions the company has made. However, King noted that the move will benefit the company in the long-run. “The decision to reduce our U.S. workforce is a very difficult one. But we must ensure we are working within our financial means and focusing on the things that really matter to our customers and regulators.”