A strand preorienter (14) is formed by a plurality of spaced parallel preorienter shafts each having a plurality of preorienter discs (66) mounted thereon in axially spaced relationship. The preorienter discs on adjacent shafts overlap and form preorienter partition walls which define opposite sides of preorienter passages through which the strands (18) fall onto an orienter (12) having orienter passages that align the strands as required. The preorienter passages are significantly wider than the orienter passages and have their outlets positioned immediately above the orienter.