The invention relates to a gripper assembly and a method for gripping a tire component, wherein the gripper assembly is provided with a gripper comprising a gripping element with a gripping face to engage and retain the tire component through suction, wherein the gripping face comprises a plurality of sections, wherein the gripper for each section comprises a vacuum channel and a valve that is placed between the vacuum channel of the respective section and a vacuum source, wherein each valve is individually operable to an open position and a closed position, wherein the gripping face in use has a suction area formed by the sections of which the respective valves are in the open position, wherein the suction area is adjustable by selectively operating the plurality of valves to the open positions and the closed positions wherein the gripper assembly further comprises a configuration tool which in a configuration position is arranged to control the respective valves to their open positions and their closed positions.