A method of making a lead-acid battery includes providing continuous lengths of end separator stock (24) and intermediate separator stock (26) and stacks of positive (81, 98) and negative plates (83, 93). The separators are individually severed from the continuous length of stock and sequentially formed into an assembly with the individual positive and negative plates. The assembly zone (38) moves linearly relative to the cutting stations of the respective continuous lengths of separator stock and the stacks of plates and facilitates sequential establishment of the assembly without intermediate storage of the individual separators and elements. Some or all of the separators may be supplied from stacks disposed in magazines. The apparatus includes equipment (98) for supplying continuous lengths of end separator stock (24) and intermediate separator stock (26) and positive and negative plate stacks (81, 83, 93, 98). A movable assembly zone (38) is adapted to receive the individual separators and plates from which the assembly may be introduced into a battery cell container (28).