A composite article assembly arrangement includes an all-in-one assembly station for supporting certain two-workpiece or composite article assembly methodologies with a view toward a preferred lid assembly application. The all-in-one assembly station includes a stationary main base plate, opposed intermediate compactor plates, and opposed outer plates, which compactor plates and outer plates are movable relative to the stationary main base plate. One or more continuous webs bearing thermoformed first and second workpieces are directed through the assembly station, which assembly station operates to both separate the first and second workpieces from the web(s) as directed therethrough and assemble the first and second workpieces in one clapping movement of the compactor plates and outer plates relative to the main base plate. The main base plate comprises an axial alignment chamber or cavity that operates to mechanically or structurally maintain axial alignment of the first and second workpieces during workpiece assembly.