Apparatus and method for holding an uncompressed bundle of product from the top with a vacuum assisted end effector and then simultaneously compressing the bundle from all sides at the same time with thin compression plates located about the periphery of a vacuum assisted end effector to form an evenly compressed product bundle that is then placed in a container with the compression plates between the product and the container walls. Once the bundle is received in the container, vacuum is removed; the inward force of the compression plates released and the compression plates removed vertically from between the product and the containers walls. The simultaneous compression from all sides provides even distribution of forces on the product and ensures that all product is compressed or deformed to the same degree. Using the apparatus described herein to place the bottom of the products gently onto the inside bottom of the container is further advantageous.