WEST CHICAGO, IL -- Sales of connectors for electronics products reached $35.4 billion this year, according to Bishop & Associates research firm.

By region, North America was the largest region, at $9.34 billion, or 26.4%, edging out Europe, at $9.12 billion (25.8%).

Japan was third at $6.11 billion (17.3%), followed by China ($4.74 billion, 13.4%), and the rest of Asia ($4 billion, 11.4%) .