Selecting the most appropriate assembly system can offer enormous benefits in terms of product quality, cost reduction and manufacturing productivity. However, selecting the right system for a product depends on a large number of factors and is not a simple problem. Its solution requires considerable expertise and there is a lack of systematic approaches to support decision making in this area. The paper presents a strategy for selecting assembly systems for a product based on technological and economic considerations, including component and assembly design, component variability and production conditions. Application of the strategy is illustrated through the use of a number of industrial case studies across a range of business sectors. The case study reference data are provided in a common format to enable businesses to compare in the selection process.