SAN JOSE – Sales of SMT process and inspection equipment could top $5.6 billion by the end of 2010, says a report out this month.

Unsurprisingly, the Asia-Pacific region is best positioned, with annual sales of SMT equipment projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 13.3% between 2001 and 2010. U.S. SMT equipment sales were $718 million in 2006, while sales in Latin America are projected to top $146 million in 2009.