An apparatus (8) for assembling panels (1) and locking elements (3) comprising a feeding station (9) for supplying a panel, a machining station (10) for making a recess (4) into a panel, an inserting station (11) for inserting a locking element into a recess of a panel, a discharge station (12) for discharging the assembled panel, further comrpises at least three movable engaging members, each being suitable for engaging and conveying a panel, said members being adapted to be displaced simultaneously in a discontinuous manner, whereby a first panel (la) is conveyed from the feeding station to the machining station, a second panel (lb) is conveyed from the machining station to the inserting station, and a third panel (lc) is conveyed from the inserting station to the discharge station. A method of assembling panels and locking elements, comprises the subsequent steps of simultaneously machining a recess into a first panel at a machining station and inserting a locking element into a recess of a second panel at an inserting station, simultaneously supplying a third panel to the machining station, conveying the first panel from the machining station to the inserting station and conveying the second panel from the inserting station to a discharge station for discharging the assembled second panel, simultaneously machining a recess into the third panel at the machining station and inserting a locking element into the recess of the first panel at the inserting station.