The ends of material webs or tapes are joined to each other in an apparatus in which two holding and press-on heads are tiltable about fixed journalxes away from two fixed guide rollers for the webs so that a slide carriage for the heads and for the fixed guide rollers is avoided. The holding and press-on heads are mounted outside of the spacing between the guide rollers, but close to these guide rollers, but with a defined spacing from these guide rollers.