Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing pins from a bandolier type carrier and for loading groups of pins into a carrier block, for insertion into printed circuit boards. A bandolier carrying pins is moved along a passline and a group of a desired number of the bandoliered pins is positioned in a pin loading station of the apparatus. The pins are held by opposed gripping members, which are relatively movable towards each other into pin holding positions and are then operable to cause relative movement of the bandolier and the group of pins laterally of the passline, thereby separating the pins from the bandolier. While pins of the group are held by the gripping members, relative movement of the carrier block and the group of pins causes ends of the pins to be received in pin receiving locations in the carrier block. The pins are then released by moving the gripping members apart so that the pins remain in the carrier block.