an apparatus for transferring an article between two mutually spaced locations comprises a rotatable and longitudinally translatable shaft , a sweep arm fixed to the shaft and adapted to carry suitable apparatus for gripping the article , a first drive motor operably connected to the shaft for imparting longitudinal movement thereto and a second drive motor , independent from the first and operably connected to the shaft for imparting rotational movement thereto . the apparatus is characterized by an economy of manufacture , efficiency of operation and a compactness which renders the apparatus suitable for adaptation o a variety of manufacturing environments .