Abstract: A device for removing a plurality of ferromagnetic, stacked or dumped, workpieces from a container incorporates a switchable magnetic holder which can be moved up and down by means of a hoisting apparatus and, moreover, can be shifted in an approximately horizontal plane and positioned over the said container and a conveyor respectively. The magnetic holder takes the form of a magnet carrier plate mounting a plurality of holding magnets of which at least one is an a.c. magnet. Means are provided for gradually reducing the excitation of the holding magnet while the material handled is being dropped.