SCOTTSDALE (Bloomberg) — Bermuda-based Tyco Electronics Ltd., the world's largest maker of electronic connectors, is combining two of its connector businesses a year ahead of schedule to help trim manufacturing costs amid softening demand. The combination of the industrial and communications connector units is part of the company's efforts to accelerate restructuring plans and save about $100 million a year, chief executive officer Tom Lynch said yesterday.

First-quarter profit will be near the low end of the forecast range of 24 cents to 28 cents a share, as orders for connectors used in cars, desktop computers, communications lines and cell phones slow, Lynch said.