An apparatus for performing a processing operation on objects, comprising a conveyor, which defines a forward movement path for the objects to be processed along which a processing station is located, and a processing unit associated with the conveyor at the processing station and configured to perform said processing operation, wherein: the conveyor is a conveying device respectively with linear motor or with planar motor, and defines a sliding path which extends along a trajectory of extension parallel to the forward movement path; the conveyor comprises a supporting structure, a plurality of active modules mounted on the supporting structure and positioned one after another along the trajectory of extension, and a plurality of carriages slidably associated with the active modules and with the sliding path and configured to be moved along the sliding path respectively by the linear motor or by the planar motor; each active module defines a stretch of the sliding path and a part respectively of the linear motor or of the planar motor; each carriage has a movement body coupled to the sliding path and a supporting element mounted on the movement body and configured to support, in use, an object to be processed; the processing unit comprises a lower base and an upper operating part; the operating part is mechanically connected to the lower base, is positioned vertically above the lower base and is spaced apart from the lower base; the operating part is configured to perform, in use, the processing operation on the object supported by the supporting element, when the carriage is in the processing station; and the supporting structure comprises a first base and a second base which rest directly on the ground; characterized in that: the first base and the second base are positioned at opposite sides of the processing unit relative to the processing station; the processing station is positioned between the lower base and the operating part; the supporting structure also comprises a supporting body mounted like a bridge between the first base and the second base; and mounted on the supporting body there are two or more adjacent first active modules part of said plurality of active modules, at least one of the first active modules defining the sliding path at the processing station. the conveyor is a conveying device respectively with linear motor or with planar motor, and defines a sliding path which extends along a trajectory of extension parallel to the forward movement path; the conveyor comprises a supporting structure, a plurality of active modules mounted on the supporting structure and positioned one after another along the trajectory of extension, and a plurality of carriages slidably associated with the active modules and with the sliding path and configured to be moved along the sliding path respectively by the linear motor or by the planar motor; each active module defines a stretch of the sliding path and a part respectively of the linear motor or of the planar motor; each carriage has a movement body coupled to the sliding path and a supporting element mounted on the movement body and configured to support, in use, an object to be processed; the processing unit comprises a lower base and an upper operating part; the operating part is mechanically connected to the lower base, is positioned vertically above the lower base and is spaced apart from the lower base; the operating part is configured to perform, in use, the processing operation on the object supported by the supporting element, when the carriage is in the processing station; and the supporting structure comprises a first base and a second base which rest directly on the ground; the first base and the second base are positioned at opposite sides of the processing unit relative to the processing station; the processing station is positioned between the lower base and the operating part; the supporting structure also comprises a supporting body mounted like a bridge between the first base and the second base; and mounted on the supporting body there are two or more adjacent first active modules part of said plurality of active modules, at least one of the first active modules defining the sliding path at the processing station.