Abstract: According to the invention, a machine is disclosed for handling and preferably loading loose signature packs onto a pallet. In a preferred embodiment, the machine comprises an industrial robot known per se, which has an arm movable in all planes. This arm is provided with a rotation device on which is mounted a gripping device incuding at least two horizontal, reciprocally movable carrying rods co-acting with a support plate and at least one vertical pressure plate movable toward and away from the carrying rods for gripping and conveying a pack of loose signatures from a conveyor and depositing them in a programmed pattern for building a load on a pallet.