Component supply chain anticipates 45 million iPad sales in 2011

Hidden by the excitement of news of a Verizon iPhone yesterday was some more words from the analysts — and they’re predicting monster iPad sales in 2011, particularly as Apple preps iPad 2.0.

Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White reports that Apple is developing a smaller version of its uber-popular iPad and suggests that sales numbers of the original iPad could reach 45 million in 2011.

Forbes tells us the analyst is in China and speaking to iPad component suppliers, one claims he’s anticipating shipping enough parts to pump out 13 million iPads in the second half of 2010. And the supplier expects this to hit 45 million next year.

These claims are far far higher than other analysts — even White’s own figures are beneath these. But with production rumored to be at three million a month already they’re highly possible, particularly as Apple widens distribution.