Abstract: The herein disclosed invention relates to a device for automatically stacking in preselected multiples nestable, or other rigid forms, having a generally uniform size and a generally horizontal margin or rim, such as pie shells have. The stacking device is intended to be placed over, or structurally attached to, a conveyor means moving the items to be stacked into a location within the stacking device where they will be picked up and lifted vertically upward, one at a time, as they enter the pick-up location in a uniformly or randomly spaced relation, and held in the raised position until a preselected count is achieved, whereupon the stack of items will be automatically discharged onto the conveyor means or other suitable reception means from which the stack can be transferred to a packaging operation.