Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for orienting a plate such as a seed plate in an electrolytic refining plant. While the plate is in a horizontal attitude and connected with a suspending lug which in turn is connected to a supporting rod, the plate is transported by a manufacturing line conveyer to a predetermined location where there is lowered into engagement with the plate a suction structure capable of holding and carrying the plate. The suction structure together with the plate and the supporting rod and suspension lug are raised away from the manufacturing line conveyer to a transfer location where the plate is capable of swinging to an upright attitude while clearing the above conveyer. At the transfer location the suction action of the suction structure is released, and a pair of rod-supporting members are displaced into engagement with opposed ends of the rod to support the latter when the plate is released to swing to its upright attitude, by gravity.