LOS ALTOS, CA -- World electronics equipment production will grow 7.5% this year on broad-based gains in demand and inventory replenishment, a leading analyst said today.

What's more, growth will pick up steam, with a 9.3% hike predicted for 2011, before receding to 7.3% growth in 2012, says Henderson Ventures.

The results will go a long way toward erasing the memories of the 9.9% drop in 2009.

Equipment sales will be boosted by inventory replenishment that could raise growth as much as three points alone in 2010, Henderson said.

Much of the gains will come in Asia. China will lead at 10.3%, 14.5% and 9.5% in 2010 to 2012, respectively. Japan, whose production fell more than 24% in 2009, will rebound with 6%, 7.7% and 5.3% hikes over the next three years. The US is forecast to grow 7.3%, 6% and 5.1% during the three-year period. Western Europe's rebound will be slower, at 3.4%, 5% and 5.6% respectively.

In its monthly report, Henderson noted "substantial" cuts to capacity across a range of industries worldwide, and strong automotive markets, especially in China, where vehicle sales are expected to exceed 15 million units this year.