Abstract: Apparatus for the automated assembly of sandwich items, such as biscuit and sausage sandwiches, consists generally of a frame on which are carried a slicing station, a separation station and an assembly station, all of which are automated. The slicing station includes slicing means for slicing into upper and lower sections the material which is to become the exterior layers of the layered product. At the separation station the upper section is removed from the lower section thus exposing the lower section for receiving the middle layer of the layered product. The assembly station includes of a pair of pneumatically operated transfer shuttles carrying a plurality of downwardly depending pickup cylinders which include extendible piston arms having suction cups on the depending end of each arm.