Abstract: A contact insertion machine (50) having a base (52) with an X, Y, .theta. table (54) thereon and a superstructure (56) hingeably mounted on the base for movement towards and away from the table (54). The superstructure (56) has a plurality of contact strip feed reels (78) which sequentially feeds the strips (42) to each of a plurality of insertion heads (80). A tray (68) containing a multitude of connector housings (16) is positioned on the X, Y, .theta. table (54) and the superstructure (56) moved towards the tray until the heads (80) are in close, spaced relation to the connectors in the tray. The heads (80) are activated to simultaneously insert a contact (30) into each of a plurality of different connector housings (16). The contacts (30) are simultaneously inserted sequentially into a different sector of connectors until contacts have been inserted into predetermined cavities 28--28 in the connector housings (16).