An article grouping system capable of forming arrays of articles having a variable number of rows and lanes , the article grouping system comprising: an infeed carrier apparatus having an infeed carrier surface , wherein the infeed carrier surface is movable in a first direction; an outfeed carrier apparatus having an outfeed carrier surface , wherein the outfeed carrier surface is movable in a second direction; a grouping apparatus comprising a plurality of carriages and a carriage drive mechanism operatively connected with each carriage , wherein each carriage comprises a base and a plurality of support members operatively connected with the base to define a plurality of article receiving compartments for receiving individual articles , wherein each article receiving compartment is defined by a compartment width extending between adjacent support members , wherein the carriage drive mechanism causes a carriage to independently move in a third direction from an article receiving zone adjacent to the infeed carrier apparatus to an article discharge zone adjacent to the outfeed carrier apparatus , wherein a portion of the grouping apparatus is positioned intermediate the infeed carrier apparatus and the outfeed carrier apparatus ; and a transfer apparatus comprising a frame and an article stabilization member operatively connected with the frame , wherein the article stabilization member moves from an engaging location in the article discharge zone to a variable placement location on the outfeed carrier apparatus and back to the engaging location such that spacing between rows is adjustable, characterized in that each carriage is adjustable from a first configuration to a second configuration wherein in the first configuration the compartment width is defined by a first length, wherein in the second configuration the compartment width is defined by a second length, wherein the first length is different from the second length in order to receive articles of different dimensions. an infeed carrier apparatus having an infeed carrier surface , wherein the infeed carrier surface is movable in a first direction; an outfeed carrier apparatus having an outfeed carrier surface , wherein the outfeed carrier surface is movable in a second direction; a grouping apparatus comprising a plurality of carriages and a carriage drive mechanism operatively connected with each carriage , wherein each carriage comprises a base and a plurality of support members operatively connected with the base to define a plurality of article receiving compartments for receiving individual articles , wherein each article receiving compartment is defined by a compartment width extending between adjacent support members , wherein the carriage drive mechanism causes a carriage to independently move in a third direction from an article receiving zone adjacent to the infeed carrier apparatus to an article discharge zone adjacent to the outfeed carrier apparatus , wherein a portion of the grouping apparatus is positioned intermediate the infeed carrier apparatus and the outfeed carrier apparatus ; and a transfer apparatus comprising a frame and an article stabilization member operatively connected with the frame , wherein the article stabilization member moves from an engaging location in the article discharge zone to a variable placement location on the outfeed carrier apparatus and back to the engaging location such that spacing between rows is adjustable, characterized in that each carriage is adjustable from a first configuration to a second configuration wherein in the first configuration the compartment width is defined by a first length, wherein in the second configuration the compartment width is defined by a second length, wherein the first length is different from the second length in order to receive articles of different dimensions. <EOS>