Apparatus for assembling a grommet and a wire ring for forming a peripheral reinforcement of an engine head gasket opening. Grommets and wire rings are supplied one by one on different supply devices and retained at first and second article retaining positions, respectively. A movable head moves toward the second retaining position and picks up a wire ring. The head then conveys the wire ring to the second retaining position, where the wire ring is placed overlappingly on the grommet. Thereafter, another movable head having a deforming die is moved against the overlapped grommet and wire ring and deforms a flange of the grommet radially outwardly, whereby the grommet prevents separation of the wire ring therefrom. The thus assembled grommet and wire ring are conveyed to a machine for attaching them to the gasket.
