A method and apparatus for handling stacked and/or nested products in a product line using a counter separator system, a counter device, a motive system, and a separator device is disclosed. Product to be handled is produced and moved along at least one elongated channel. When a predetermined number of products in the product line have passed the fixed reference point, the counter device triggers the motive system, which moves the separator device forward, physically separating a predetermined number of product away from the product line, creating a counted unit.