A method and an apparatus are provided for manufacturing a stator with a plurality of hairpin conductors. For inserting the hairpin conductors (15, 15) into the slots (11) of a stator core (12) a stator core template (22) is provided. Hairpin conductors (15) are axially inserted into slots (21) of the stator core template (22) such that the hairpin conductor (15) is arranged at a first position (P1) within said slot (21). The hairpin conductor (15) is then moved within said slot (21) to a different position (P2). A complete nest (20) of hairpin conductors (15) formed within the stator core template (22) is then transferred to the stator core (12).