Kadant (KAI) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Kadant Inc	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000886346	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-28	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	11,143,167
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	28-Sep-13	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$73,001	$54,553
Restricted cash (Note 1)	166	0
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $2,204 and $2,306 (Note 1)	61,312	59,359
Inventories (Note 1)	50,925	42,077
Unbilled contract costs and fees	3,607	2,800
Other current assets	20,968	16,291
Assets of discontinued operation	493	513
Total Current Assets	210,472	175,593
Property, Plant, and Equipment, at Cost	113,887	109,046
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	71,782	69,878
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost, Net	42,105	39,168
Other Assets	35,820	36,240
Goodwill	110,337	107,947
Total Assets	398,734	358,948
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term obligations (Note 6)	625	625
Accounts payable	26,169	23,124
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	16,377	16,358
Customer deposits	22,370	14,811
Accrued warranty costs (Note 1)	4,265	4,462
Deferred revenue	3,758	3,918
Other current liabilities	16,768	11,615
Liabilities of discontinued operation	223	379
Total Current Liabilities	90,555	75,292
Other Long-Term Liabilities	29,704	27,439
Long-Term Obligations (Note 6)	13,875	6,250
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)	0	0
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 14,624,159 shares issued	146	146
Capital in excess of par value	95,499	95,448
Retained earnings	243,631	230,329
Treasury stock at cost, 3,480,992 and 3,493,546 shares	-74,588	-74,025
Accumulated other comprehensive items (Note 9)	-1,460	-3,315
Total Kadant Stockholders' Equity	263,228	248,583
Noncontrolling interest	1,372	1,384
Total Stockholders' Equity	264,600	249,967
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$398,734	$358,948

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowances	$2,404	$2,306
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	14,624,159	14,624,159
Treasury stock (in shares)	3,480,992	3,493,546

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$91,315	$86,601	$249,684	$253,696
Costs and Operating Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	51,194	49,005	133,597	141,430
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	28,606	26,171	85,001	77,804
Research and development expenses	1,558	1,511	5,114	4,436
Restructuring costs and other (income) expense, net (Note 3)	45	0	263	307
Total Costs and Operating Expenses	81,403	76,687	223,975	223,977
Operating Income	9,912	9,914	25,709	29,719
Interest Income	155	63	406	231
Interest Expense	-239	-219	-635	-624
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes	9,828	9,758	25,480	29,326
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 5)	3,327	2,055	7,786	7,898
Income from Continuing Operations	6,501	7,703	17,694	21,428
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation	-14	844	-55	780
Net Income	6,487	8,547	17,639	22,208
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-40	-86	-148	-151
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	6,447	8,461	17,491	22,057
Amounts Attributable to Kadant:	'	'	'	'
Income from Continuing Operations	6,461	7,617	17,546	21,277
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation	-14	844	-55	780
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$6,447	$8,461	$17,491	$22,057
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Kadant (Note 4):	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.67	$1.57	$1.85
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.66	$1.55	$1.83
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 4):	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.75	$1.57	$1.91
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.74	$1.55	$1.90
Weighted Average Shares (Note 4):	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	11,153	11,341	11,165	11,523
Diluted (in shares)	11,365	11,491	11,321	11,633
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0	$0.38	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation, income tax benefit (expense)	$8	($520)	$33	($467)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$6,487	$8,547	$17,639	$22,208
Other Comprehensive Items:	'	'	'	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	4,678	4,542	1,189	2,881
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liability Adjustments, net (net of tax provision of $58 and $198 in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, respectively, and $67 and $205 in the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012, respectively)	105	110	362	361
Deferred Gain on Hedging Instruments (net of tax provision of $30 and $110 in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013, respectively, and $49 and $50 in the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012, respectively)	61	93	350	83
Other Comprehensive Items	4,844	4,745	1,901	3,325
Comprehensive Income	11,331	13,292	19,540	25,533
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-109	-128	-194	-149
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kadant	$11,222	$13,164	$19,346	$25,384

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Other Comprehensive Items:	'	'	'	'
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments, tax expense	$58	$67	$198	$205
Deferred gain on hedging instruments, tax expense	$30	$49	$110	$50

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income attributable to Kadant	$17,491	$22,057
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	148	151
Loss (income) from discontinued operation	55	-780
Income from continuing operations	17,694	21,428
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	6,730	6,419
Stock-based compensation expense	3,794	3,560
(Recoveries) provision for losses on accounts receivable	-40	65
Gain on the sale of property, plant, and equipment	-1,908	-209
Other items, net	309	1,144
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	3,563	-563
Unbilled contract costs and fees	-780	-3,934
Inventories	-2,176	7,398
Other current assets	-1,871	-980
Accounts payable	2,276	-5,890
Other current liabilities	3,916	-9,981
Contributions to pension plan	-810	-720
Net cash provided by continuing operations	30,697	17,737
Net cash used in discontinued operation	-191	-1,359
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,506	16,378
Investing Activities:	'	'
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-14,209	113
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	3,320	370
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	-4,149	-1,514
Other, net	646	-10
Net cash used in continuing operations for investing activities	-14,392	-1,041
Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of short- and long-term obligations	18,900	5,000
Repayments of short- and long-term obligations	-11,275	-5,375
Purchases of Company common stock	-3,481	-9,799
Dividends paid	-2,796	0
Proceeds from issuance of Company common stock	337	359
Change in restricted cash	-166	632
Other, net	327	-517
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operations for financing activities	1,846	-9,700
Exchange Rate Effect on Cash and Cash Equivalents from Continuing Operations	488	752
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents from Continuing Operations	18,448	6,389
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	54,553	46,950
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$73,001	$53,339

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$146	$93,701	$198,706	($62,118)	($7,955)	$1,150	$223,630
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	14,624,159	'	'	2,983,717	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income	0	0	22,057	0	0	151	22,208
Activity under stock plans	0	543	0	2,453	0	0	2,996
Treasury stock reissued (in shares)	0	'	'	-117,502	'	'	'
Tax benefits related to employees' and directors' stock plans	0	118	0	0	0	0	118
Purchases of Company common stock	0	0	0	-9,799	0	0	-9,799
Purchases of Company common stock (in shares)	0	'	'	438,848	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Items	0	0	0	0	3,327	-2	3,325
Ending balance at Sep. 29, 2012	146	94,362	220,763	-69,464	-4,628	1,299	242,478
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2012	14,624,159	'	'	3,305,063	'	'	'
Beginning balance at Dec. 29, 2012	146	95,448	230,329	-74,025	-3,315	1,384	249,967
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012	14,624,159	'	'	3,493,546	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income	0	0	17,491	0	0	148	17,639
Dividends declared	0	0	-4,189	0	0	0	-4,189
Dividend paid to minority shareholder	0	0	0	0	0	-206	-206
Activity under stock plans	0	-276	0	2,918	0	0	2,642
Treasury stock reissued (in shares)	0	'	'	-137,554	'	'	'
Tax benefits related to employees' and directors' stock plans	0	327	0	0	0	0	327
Purchases of Company common stock	0	0	0	-3,481	0	0	-3,481
Purchases of Company common stock (in shares)	0	'	'	125,000	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Items	0	0	0	0	1,855	46	1,901
Ending balance at Sep. 28, 2013	$146	$95,499	$243,631	($74,588)	($1,460)	$1,372	$264,600
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 28, 2013	14,624,159	'	'	3,480,992	'	'	'

Nature_of_Operations_and_Summa

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1	Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Operations
	Kadant Inc. and its subsidiaries' (collectively, "we," Kadant," "the Company," or "the Registrant") continuing operations include one reportable operating segment, Papermaking Systems, and a separate product line, Fiber-based Products. Through its Papermaking Systems segment, the Company develops, manufactures, and markets a range of equipment and products primarily for the global papermaking and paper recycling and process industries. The Company's principal products in this segment include custom-engineered stock-preparation systems and equipment for the preparation of wastepaper for conversion into recycled paper; fluid-handling systems used primarily in the dryer section of the papermaking process and during the production of corrugated boxboard, metals, plastics, rubber, textiles, chemicals, and food; doctoring systems and equipment and related consumables important to the efficient operation of paper machines; and cleaning and filtration systems essential for draining, purifying, and recycling process water and cleaning paper machine fabrics and rolls. Through its Fiber-based Products business, the Company manufactures and sells granules derived from papermaking byproducts primarily for use as agricultural carriers and for home lawn and garden applications, as well as for oil and grease absorption.
	Interim Financial Statements
	The interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes presented have been prepared by the Company, are unaudited, and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position at September 28, 2013, its results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, and its cash flows and stockholders' equity for the nine month periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or for any other interim period.
	The condensed consolidated balance sheet presented as of December 29, 2012 has been derived from the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes are presented as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and regulations for Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the annual consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company. The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, filed with the SEC.
	Critical Accounting Policies
	Critical accounting policies are defined as those that entail significant judgments and estimates, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company believes that the most critical accounting policies upon which its financial position depends, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, concern revenue recognition and accounts receivable, warranty obligations, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, inventories, pension obligations, and derivatives. A discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies is included in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		28-Sep-13			29-Sep-12
	Non-Cash Investing Activities:
	Fair Value of Assets Acquired		$	22,688		$	–
	Cash Paid for Acquired Businesses			(15,332	)		–
	Liabilities Assumed of Acquired Businesses		$	7,356		$	–
	Non-Cash Financing Activities:
	Issuance of Company Common Stock		$	2,515		$	1,967
	Dividends Declared but Unpaid		$	1,393		$	–
	Restricted Cash
	As of September 28, 2013, the Company had restricted cash of $166,000. This cash serves as collateral for bank guarantees primarily associated with providing assurance to customers in China that the Company will fulfill certain customer obligations entered into in the normal course of business. All the bank guarantees will expire by the end of 2013.
	Banker's Acceptance Drafts
	The Company's Chinese subsidiaries may receive banker's acceptance drafts from customers as payment for their trade accounts receivable. The banker's acceptance drafts are non-interest bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company has the ability to sell the drafts at a discount to a third-party financial institution or transfer the drafts to vendors in settlement of current accounts payable prior to the scheduled maturity date. These drafts, which totaled $10,577,000 and $9,794,000 at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet until the subsidiary obtains cash payment on the scheduled maturity date or upon the sale or transfer of the drafts prior to maturity.
	Inventories
	The components of inventories are as follows:
			September 28,			December 29,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012
	Raw Materials and Supplies		$	20,422		$	19,561
	Work in Process			13,656			8,371
	Finished Goods			16,847			14,145
			$	50,925		$	42,077
	Warranty Obligations
	The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time of sale based on the actual historical occurrence rates and repair costs. The Company typically negotiates the terms regarding warranty coverage and length of warranty depending on the products and applications. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, the Company's warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, repair costs, service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure, and supplier warranties on parts delivered to the Company. Should actual product failure rates, repair costs, service delivery costs, or supplier warranties on parts differ from the Company's estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
	The changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty costs included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		28-Sep-13			29-Sep-12
	Balance at beginning of period		$	4,462		$	4,129
	Provision			969			1,128
	Usage			(1,366	)		(1,171	)
	Acquired			138			–
	Currency translation			62			34
	Balance at end of period		$	4,265		$	4,120
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11. Currently, GAAP does not include explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This ASU clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows: to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This ASU applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, although early adoption is permitted. This ASU will be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. The Company has not yet adopted this ASU and is currently evaluating the effect the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-10. This ASU permits the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes, in addition to the U.S. government treasury obligation rate and the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This ASU also removes the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. This ASU is effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The Company adopted this ASU in the third quarter of 2013, which did not have an effect on its consolidated financial statements. The Company will consider the guidance in this ASU for future transactions in which the Company elects to apply hedge accounting of the benchmark interest rate.
	Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting. In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-07. This ASU clarifies when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting. In addition, the guidance provides principles for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities and requirements for financial statements prepared using the liquidation basis of accounting. The ASU requires an organization to prepare its financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting when liquidation is imminent. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
	Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05. When a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. This ASU will be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions [Text Block]	'
	2	Acquisitions
	On April 12, 2013, the Company's Papermaking Systems segment acquired all the outstanding stock of Companhia Brasileira de Tecnologia Industrial (CBTI) for approximately $8,140,000 in cash and $484,000 in assumed liabilities owed to Kadant. The purchase price included $1,123,000 of cash acquired. CBTI was a long-time licensee of the Company's doctoring, cleaning, and filtration, and stock preparation products and is also a supplier of industrial drying systems. This acquisition furthers the Company's strategy of expanding its presence in emerging markets. At the closing date, approximately $3,550,000 of the purchase price was deposited into an escrow fund to secure certain indemnification obligations of the sellers. Approximately $1,520,000 of the escrow fund will be released to the sellers on or about January 31, 2014, and the balance will be released on various dates over a five-year period ending on the fifth anniversary of the closing date, less the amount of any claims in each instance.
	On May 3, 2013, the Company's Papermaking Systems segment acquired certain assets of the Noss Group (Noss), a Sweden-based developer and supplier of high-efficiency cleaners and approach flow systems, for approximately $6,708,000 in cash and subject to adjustment for redundancy and certain employee benefit payments. As part of the purchase agreement, the Company retained approximately $1,170,000 to fund certain anticipated redundancy and certain employee benefit payments in Sweden. Any payments made in excess of this estimate will be reimbursed by the sellers and amounts unpaid below this estimate will be due to the sellers. This acquisition expands the Company's product offerings in its Stock-Preparation product line, particularly for virgin pulp and approach flow applications. In addition, Noss has a large installed base and a high proportion of its revenues are parts and consumables products. At the closing date, approximately $1,970,000 of the purchase price was deposited into an escrow fund to secure certain indemnification obligations of the sellers. The escrow fund, less any claims made, will be released to the sellers in two installments on the first and second anniversaries of the closing date.
	These acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and the results of CBTI and Noss have been included in the accompanying financial statements from the date of the acquisitions. The Company recorded acquisition transaction costs of approximately $780,000 in the first nine months of 2013 in selling, general, and administrative expenses related to these acquisitions. The Company has made preliminary fair value assessments of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including identifiable intangible assets acquired of $1,938,000, which are being amortized using the straight-line method over a weighted-average period of 7 years. The excess of the acquisition purchase prices over the tangible and identifiable intangible assets were recorded as goodwill and totaled $2,159,000, a portion of which will be deductible for tax purposes. The fair values are subject to adjustment upon finalization of the valuations, and therefore the current measurements of intangible assets, acquired goodwill, and assumed assets and liabilities are subject to change.
	The Company's acquisitions have historically been made at prices above the fair value of the acquired assets, resulting in goodwill, due in part to expectations of synergies from combining the businesses. The Company anticipates several synergies in connection with these acquisitions, including consolidating manufacturing facilities and the use of the Company's existing distribution channels to expand sales of the products of the acquired businesses.
	Pro forma disclosures of the results of operations are not required, as the acquisitions are not considered material business combinations as outlined in FASB Accounting Standards Codification 805, "Business Combinations."

Restructuring_Costs_and_Other_

Restructuring Costs and Other (Income) Expense, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Restructuring Costs and Other (Income) Expense, Net [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Costs and Other (Income) Expense [Text Block]	'
	The Company's restructuring costs and other (income) expense, net was $263,000 in the first nine months of 2013, including $2,003,000 of restructuring costs and a $1,740,000 gain on the sale of assets, and $307,000 in the first nine months of 2012.
	Restructuring Costs
	The Company recorded restructuring costs of $2,003,000 in the first nine months of 2013, including severance costs of $1,330,000 associated with the reduction of 22 employees and facility-related costs of $45,000 in Brazil and severance costs of $628,000 associated with the reduction of 25 employees in Sweden. These actions were taken to streamline the Company's operations as a result of the CBTI and Noss acquisitions. All of these items occurred in the Papermaking Systems segment.
	A summary of the changes in accrued restructuring costs included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
	(In thousands)	Other			Severance Costs			Total
		Costs						Costs
	Provision	$	45		$	1,958		$	2,003
	Usage		(46	)		(633	)		(679	)
	Currency translation		1			(86	)		(85	)
	Balance at September 28, 2013	$	–		$	1,239		$	1,239
	The Company expects to pay the remaining accrued restructuring costs by the end of 2014.
	Other (Income) Expense
	Other income consisted of a pre-tax gain of $1,740,000 from the sale of real estate in China in the second quarter of 2013. Other expense consisted of accelerated depreciation of $307,000 in the first nine months of 2012 associated with the disposal of equipment in China related to a facility consolidation.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per Share	'
	4	Earnings per Share
	Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:
			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			September 28,			September 29,		September 28,			September 29,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		2013			2012		2013			2012
	Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
	Income from Continuing Operations		$	6,461		$	7,617	$	17,546		$	21,277
	(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation			(14	)		844		(55	)		780
	Net Income		$	6,447		$	8,461	$	17,491		$	22,057
	Basic Weighted Average Shares			11,153			11,341		11,165			11,523
	Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan			212			150		156			110
	Diluted Weighted Average Shares			11,365			11,491		11,321			11,633
	Basic Earnings per Share:
	Continuing Operations		$	0.58		$	0.67	$	1.57		$	1.85
	Discontinued Operation		$	–		$	0.07	$	–		$	0.07
	Net Income per Basic Share		$	0.58		$	0.75	$	1.57		$	1.91
	Diluted Earnings per Share:
	Continuing Operations		$	0.57		$	0.66	$	1.55		$	1.83
	Discontinued Operation		$	–		$	0.07	$	–		$	0.07
	Net Income per Diluted Share		$	0.57		$	0.74	$	1.55		$	1.9
	Options to purchase approximately 92,900 and 164,400 shares of the Company's common stock for the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 99,000 and 145,300 shares of the Company's common stock for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Unvested restricted stock units equivalent to approximately 27,200 and 38,000 shares of common stock for the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because either the effect of their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, or for unvested performance-based restricted stock units, the performance conditions had not been met as of the end of the reporting period.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	5	Provision for Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes was $7,786,000 and $7,898,000 in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and represented 31% and 27% of pre-tax income. The effective tax rate of 31% in the first nine months of 2013 was lower than the Company's statutory tax rate primarily due to the reduction of the 2012 U.S. tax cost of foreign earnings and a benefit from the 2012 U.S. research and development tax credit, both of which resulted from U.S. tax legislation enacted in January 2013. In addition, the Company's effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2013 benefited from the release of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards. The release of the valuation allowance was due to projected profitability associated with the CBTI acquisition. Also contributing to the lower effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2013 were lower statutory tax rates in the Company's overseas operations and a more favorable distribution of the Company's worldwide earnings. The effective tax rate of 27%in the first nine months of 2012 was lower than the Company's statutory tax rate primarily due to the distribution of worldwide earnings and the expected utilization of foreign tax credits that were fully reserved in prior periods, the latter of which was due to an increase in estimated 2012 income and foreign source income in the U.S.

LongTerm_Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Long-Term Obligations [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Obligations	'
	6	Long-Term Obligations
	Long-term obligations are as follows:
			September 28,			December 29,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012
	Revolving Credit Facility, due 2017		$	8,000		$	–
	Variable Rate Term Loan, due from 2013 to 2016			6,500			6,875
	Total Long-Term Obligations			14,500			6,875
	Less: Current Maturities			(625	)		(625	)
	Long-Term Obligations, less Current Maturities		$	13,875		$	6,250
	The weighted average interest rate for the Company's long-term obligations was 3.51% as of September 28, 2013.
	On August 3, 2012, the Company entered into a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility (2012 Credit Agreement) in the aggregate principal amount of up to $100,000,000. The 2012 Credit Agreement also includes an uncommitted unsecured incremental borrowing facility of up to an additional $50,000,000. The principal on any borrowings made under the 2012 Credit Agreement is due on August 3, 2017. Interest on any loans outstanding under the 2012 Credit Agreement accrues and is payable quarterly in arrears at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (i) the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1%, (b) the prime rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1% and (c) the Eurocurrency rate, as defined, plus 0.50% plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1% or (ii) the Eurocurrency rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin of 1% to 2%. The applicable margin is determined based upon the ratio of the Company's total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), as defined in the 2012 Credit Agreement. For this purpose, total debt is defined as total debt less up to $25,000,000 of unrestricted domestic cash. There was $8,000,000 outstanding under the 2012 Credit Agreement at September 28, 2013.
	The obligations of the Company under the 2012 Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default under the 2012 Credit Agreement, which includes customary events of default including without limitation payment defaults, defaults in the performance of affirmative and negative covenants, the inaccuracy of representations or warranties, bankruptcy- and insolvency-related defaults, defaults relating to such matters as the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), unsatisfied judgments, the failure to pay certain indebtedness, and a change of control default. In addition, the 2012 Credit Agreement contains negative covenants applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries including financial covenants requiring the Company to comply with a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1, maximum annual capital expenditures of $25,000,000, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 3 to 1, and restrictions on liens, indebtedness, fundamental changes, dispositions of property, making certain restricted payments (including dividends and stock repurchases), investments, transactions with affiliates, sale and leaseback transactions, swap agreements, changing its fiscal year, arrangements affecting subsidiary distributions, entering into new lines of business, and certain actions related to the discontinued operation. As of September 28, 2013, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
	Loans under the 2012 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement, effective August 3, 2012.
	As of September 28, 2013, the Company had $91,290,000 of borrowing capacity available under the committed portion of its 2012 Credit Agreement. The amount the Company is able to borrow under the 2012 Credit Agreement is the total borrowing capacity of $100,000,000 less any outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and multi-currency borrowings issued under the 2012 Credit Agreement.
	See Note 14 for additional information.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	7	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation expense of $1,236,000 and $1,298,000 in the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $3,794,000 and $3,560,000 in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, was recognized within selling, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income. Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based compensation totaled approximately $5,308,000 at September 28, 2013, and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	8	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan for the benefit of eligible employees at its Kadant Solutions division and its corporate office (included in the table below in "Pension Benefits"). The Company also sponsors a restoration plan for the benefit of certain executive officers who also participate in the noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (included in the table below in "Other Benefits"). In addition, employees at certain of the Company's subsidiaries participate in defined benefit retirement and post-retirement welfare benefit plans (included in the table below in "Other Benefits").
	The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension benefits and other benefits plans are as follows:
			Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			28-Sep-13						29-Sep-12
	(In thousands)		Pension			Other			Pension			Other
			Benefits			Benefits			Benefits			Benefits
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
	Service cost		$	245		$	54		$	243		$	34
	Interest cost			289			69			331			56
	Expected return on plan assets			(375	)		(13	)		(407	)		–
	Recognized net actuarial loss			127			23			160			8
	Amortization of prior service cost			14			21			14			6
	Net periodic benefit cost		$	300		$	154		$	341		$	104
	The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
	Discount rate			3.89	%		3.9	%		4.28	%		4.43	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets			5.75	%		–			6.25	%		–
	Rate of compensation increase			3.5	%		3.65	%		4	%		3.45	%
			Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			28-Sep-13						29-Sep-12
	(In thousands)		Pension			Other			Pension			Other
			Benefits			Benefits			Benefits			Benefits
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
	Service cost		$	744		$	160		$	748		$	107
	Interest cost			873			208			982			171
	Expected return on plan assets			(1,128	)		(39	)		(1,208	)		–
	Recognized net actuarial loss			393			66			474			25
	Amortization of prior service cost			42			63			42			17
	Net periodic benefit cost		$	924		$	458		$	1,038		$	320
	The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
	Discount rate			3.89	%		3.92	%		4.28	%		4.43	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets			5.75	%		–			6.25	%		–
	Rate of compensation increase			3.5	%		3.66	%		4	%		3.46	%
	The Company made cash contributions of $810,000 to its Kadant Solutions division's noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan in the first nine months of 2013 and expects to make cash contributions of $270,000 over the remainder of 2013. For the remaining pension and post-retirement welfare benefits plans, the Company does not expect to make cash contributions other than to fund current benefit payments.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items	'
	9	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items
	Comprehensive income combines net income and other comprehensive items, which represent certain amounts that are reported as components of stockholders' equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, including foreign currency translation adjustments, deferred losses and unrecognized prior service cost associated with pension and other post-retirement plans, and deferred losses on hedging instruments.
	The change in accumulated other comprehensive items (AOCI) by component, net of tax, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
	(In thousands)		Foreign			Unrecognized				Deferred Loss			Deferred Loss			Accumulated
			Currency			Prior Service				on Pension and			on Hedging			Other
			Translation			Cost				Other Post-			Instruments			Comprehensive
			Adjustment							Retirement						Items
										Plans
	Balance at December 29, 2012		$	8,124		$	(748	)		$	(9,645	)	$	(1,046	)	$	(3,315	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,143			–				(6	)		(81	)		1,056
	Reclassifications from AOCI			–			68				300			431			799
	Net current period other comprehensive  income			1,143			68				294			350			1,855
	Balance at September 28, 2013		$	9,267		$	(680	)		$	(9,351	)	$	(696	)	$	(1,460	)
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive items are as follows:
			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		28-Sep-13			28-Sep-13			Income Statement Line Item
	Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans: (1)
	Amortization of prior service cost		$	(35	)	$	(105	)	Selling, general, and administrative expenses
	Amortization of actuarial losses			(150	)		(459	)	Selling, general, and administrative expenses
	Total expense before income taxes			(185	)		(564	)
	Income tax benefit			65			196		Provision for income taxes
				(120	)		(368	)
	Cash Flow Hedges: (2)
	Interest rate swap agreements			(91	)		(287	)	Interest expense
	Forward currency-exchange contracts			(70	)		(153	)	Revenues
	Total expense before income taxes			(161	)		(440	)
	Income tax benefit			56			9		Provision for income taxes
				(105	)		(431	)
	Total reclassifications		$	(225	)	$	(799	)
	-1	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 8 for additional information.
	-2	See Note 10 for additional information.

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Derivatives [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	10	Derivatives
	The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to reduce its exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. When the Company enters into a derivative contract, the Company makes a determination as to whether the transaction is deemed to be a hedge for accounting purposes. For a contract deemed to be a hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative instrument and the risk being hedged. In this documentation, the Company specifically identifies the asset, liability, forecasted transaction, cash flow, or net investment that has been designated as the hedged item, and evaluates whether the derivative instrument is expected to reduce the risks associated with the hedged item. To the extent these criteria are not met, the Company does not use hedge accounting for the derivative. The changes in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge are recorded currently in earnings. The Company does not hold or engage in transactions involving derivative instruments for purposes other than risk management.
	ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging," requires that all derivatives be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the related gains or losses on these contracts are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive items. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in the period in which the underlying anticipated transaction occurs. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the unrealized gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements are recognized in earnings in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the currency gains and losses on the underlying exposures being hedged. The Company performs an evaluation of the effectiveness of the hedge both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The ineffective portion of a hedge, if any, and changes in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge are recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of income.
	Interest Rate Swaps
	The Company entered into a swap agreement in 2006 (the 2006 Swap Agreement) to convert a portion of the Company's outstanding variable rate term loan from a floating to a fixed rate of interest. The swap agreement matures in 2016, has the same terms and quarterly payment dates as the corresponding debt, and reduces proportionately in line with the amortization of the debt. Under the 2006 Swap Agreement, the Company receives a three-month LIBOR rate and pays a fixed rate of interest of 5.63% plus an applicable margin. The fair value for this instrument as of September 28, 2013 is included in other long-term liabilities, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive items (net of tax) in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company has structured the interest rate swap agreement to be 100% effective and as a result, there is no current impact to earnings resulting from hedge ineffectiveness. Management believes that any credit risk associated with the outstanding swap agreement is remote based on the Company's financial position and the creditworthiness of the financial institution issuing the swap agreement.
	The counterparty to the swap agreement could demand an early termination of the swap agreement if the Company is in default under the 2012 Credit Agreement, or any agreement that amends or replaces the 2012 Credit Agreement in which the counterparty is a member, and the Company is unable to cure the default. An event of default under the 2012 Credit Agreement includes customary events of default and failure to comply with financial covenants, including a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1, maximum annual capital expenditures of $25,000,000 (see Note 14 for further information), and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 3 to 1. As of September 28, 2013, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. The unrealized loss of $853,000 as of September 28, 2013, represents the estimated amount that the Company would pay to the counterparty in the event of an early termination.
	Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts
	The Company uses forward currency-exchange contracts primarily to hedge exposures resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Such exposures result primarily from portions of the Company's operations and assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of the businesses conducting the operations or holding the assets and liabilities. The Company typically manages its level of exposure to the risk of currency-exchange fluctuations by hedging a portion of its currency exposures anticipated over the ensuing 12-month period, using forward currency-exchange contracts that have maturities of 12 months or less.
	Forward currency-exchange contracts that hedge forecasted accounts receivable or accounts payable are designated as cash flow hedges. The fair values for these instruments are included in other current assets for unrecognized gains and in other current liabilities for unrecognized losses, with an offset in accumulated other comprehensive items (net of tax). For forward currency-exchange contracts that are designated as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item are recognized currently in earnings. The fair values of forward currency-exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges are recorded currently in earnings.
	The Company recognized a gain of $37,000 and a loss of $14,000 in the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and a gain of $50,000 and a loss of $39,000 in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, included in selling, general, and administrative expenses, associated with forward currency-exchange contracts that were not designated as hedges. Management believes that any credit risk associated with forward currency-exchange contracts is remote based on the Company's financial position and the creditworthiness of the financial institutions issuing the contracts.
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments designated and not designated as hedging instruments, the notional values of the associated derivative contracts, and the location of these instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheet:
				28-Sep-13							29-Dec-12
				Asset				Notional			Asset			Notional
	(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location		(Liability) (a)				Amount (b)			(Liability) (a)			Amount
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
	Derivatives in an Asset Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Assets		$	–			$	–		$	5		$	269
	Derivatives in a Liability Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Liabilities		$	(42	)		$	1,340		$	(161	)	$	3,180
	Interest rate swap agreement	Other Current Liabilities		$	–			$	–		$	(19	)	$	–
	Interest rate swap agreement	Other Long-Term Liabilities		$	(853	)		$	6,500		$	(1,029	)	$	6,875
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
	Derivatives in an Asset Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Assets		$	37			$	1,463		$	24		$	1,013
	Derivatives in a Liability Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Liabilities		$	–			$	–		$	(12	)	$	815
	(a)	See Note 11 for the fair value measurements related to these financial instruments.
	(b)	The total notional amount is indicative of the level of the Company's derivative activity during the first nine months of 2013.
	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive items (OCI) associated with the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of and for the period ended September 28, 2013:
	(In thousands)		Interest Rate Swap				Forward Currency-			Total
			Agreements				Exchange
							Contracts
	Unrealized loss, net of tax, at December 29, 2012		$	(939	)		$	(107	)	$	(1,046	)
	Loss reclassified to earnings (a)			329				102			431
	Loss recognized in OCI			(58	)			(23	)		(81	)
	Unrealized loss, net of tax, at September 28, 2013		$	(668	)		$	(28	)	$	(696	)
	(a)   Included in interest expense and provision for income taxes for interest rate swap agreements and in revenues for forward currency-exchange contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income.
	As of September 28, 2013, $298,000 of the net unrealized loss included in OCI is expected to be reclassified to earnings over the next twelve months.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	11	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value measurement is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:
		•	Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 2—Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
		•	Level 3—Unobservable inputs based on the Company's own assumptions.
	The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
			Fair Value as of September 28, 2013
	(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds and time deposits		$	33,004	$	–	$	–	$	33,004
	Banker's acceptance drafts (a)		$	–	$	10,577	$	–	$	10,577
	Forward currency-exchange contracts		$	–	$	37	$	–	$	37
	Liabilities:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts		$	–	$	42	$	–	$	42
	Interest rate swap agreement		$	–	$	853	$	–	$	853
			Fair Value as of December 29, 2012
	(In thousands)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds and time deposits		$	19,768	$	–	$	–	$	19,768
	Banker's acceptance drafts (a)		$	–	$	9,794	$	–	$	9,794
	Forward currency-exchange contracts		$	–	$	29	$	–	$	29
	Liabilities:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts		$	–	$	173	$	–	$	173
	Interest rate swap agreements		$	–	$	1,048	$	–	$	1,048
	(a)		Included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	The Company uses the market approach technique to value its financial assets and liabilities, and there were no changes in valuation techniques during the first nine months of 2013. The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value include cash equivalents and derivative instruments used to hedge the Company's foreign currency and interest rate risks. The Company's cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds and bank deposits that are highly liquid and easily tradable. These investments are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities. The carrying value of the banker's acceptance drafts approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair values of the Company's interest rate swap agreements are based on LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date. The fair values of the Company's forward currency-exchange contracts are based on quoted forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date. The forward currency-exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements are hedges of either recorded assets or liabilities or anticipated transactions. Changes in values of the underlying hedged assets and liabilities or anticipated transactions are not reflected in the table above.
	The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt obligations are as follows:
			28-Sep-13				29-Dec-12
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	(In thousands)		Value		Value		Value		Value
	Long-term debt obligations		$	13,875	$	13,875	$	6,250	$	6,250
	The carrying value of long-term debt obligations approximates fair value as the obligations bear variable rates of interest, which adjust quarterly based on prevailing market rates.

Business_Segment_Information

Business Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Business Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Information	'
	12	Business Segment Information
	The Company has combined its operating entities into one reportable operating segment, Papermaking Systems, and a separate product line, Fiber-based Products. In classifying operational entities into a particular segment, the Company aggregated businesses with similar economic characteristics, products and services, production processes, customers, and methods of distribution.
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Papermaking Systems		$	89,465		$	85,211		$	241,115		$	245,322
	Fiber-based Products			1,850			1,390			8,569			8,374
			$	91,315		$	86,601		$	249,684		$	253,696
	Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes:
	Papermaking Systems		$	14,210		$	14,385		$	35,975		$	38,261
	Corporate and Fiber-based Products (a)			(4,298	)		(4,471	)		(10,266	)		(8,542	)
	Total Operating Income			9,912			9,914			25,709			29,719
	Interest Expense, Net			(84	)		(156	)		(229	)		(393	)
			$	9,828		$	9,758		$	25,480		$	29,326
	Capital Expenditures:
	Papermaking Systems		$	1,427		$	578		$	3,825		$	1,339
	Corporate and Fiber-based Products			150			95			324			175
			$	1,577		$	673		$	4,149		$	1,514
	(a) Corporate primarily includes general and administrative expenses.

Contingencies_and_Litigation

Contingencies and Litigation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Contingencies and Litigation [Abstract]	'
Contingencies and Litigation	'
	13	Contingencies and Litigation
	Right of Recourse
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company's subsidiaries in China may receive banker's acceptance drafts from customers in payment of outstanding accounts receivable. These banker's acceptance drafts are non-interest bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company's subsidiaries in China may use these banker's acceptance drafts prior to the scheduled maturity date to settle outstanding accounts payable with vendors. Banker's acceptance drafts transferred to vendors are subject to customary right of recourse provisions prior to their scheduled maturity date. As of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company had $5,683,000 and $4,170,000, respectively, of banker's acceptance drafts subject to customary right of recourse provisions, which were transferred to vendors and had not reached their scheduled maturity date. Historically, the banker's acceptance drafts have settled upon maturity without any claim of recourse against the Company.
	General
	From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Such litigation may include claims and counterclaims by and against the Company for breach of contract, canceled contracts, or alleged breaches of warranty and other contract commitments. For legal proceedings in which a loss is probable and estimable, the Company accrues a loss based on the low end of the range of estimated loss when there is no better estimate within the range. If the Company were found to be liable for any of the claims or counterclaims against it, the Company would incur a charge against earnings for amounts in excess of legal accruals.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	14	Subsequent Events
	Acquisition
	On November 6, 2013, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Carmanah Design and Manufacturing Inc. (Carmanah) for approximately Canadian dollars (CAD) 54,000,000 in cash, or approximately $52,000,000, subject to a post-closing adjustment. Carmanah is a designer and manufacturer of stranders and related equipment used in the production of oriented strand board, an engineered wood panel product used primarily in home construction. At the closing date, CAD 7,000,000 of the purchase price was deposited into an escrow fund to secure certain tax, environmental, and other indemnification obligations of the sellers. The escrow fund, less any claims made, will be released to the sellers in two installments on the 12-month and 18-month anniversaries of the closing. The Company recorded acquisition-related transaction costs of $333,000 in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2013 related to this acquisition. The acquisition of Carmanah will extend Kadant's presence into the forest products industry and advance the Company's strategy of increasing its parts and consumables business.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	On November 1, 2013, the Company entered into a first amendment and limited consent to its 2012 Credit Agreement (First Amendment). The First Amendment extends the maturity date of the revolving credit facility to November 1, 2018, adds Kadant Canada Corp. as an additional foreign subsidiary borrower, and eliminates the financial covenant limiting the Company's capital expenditures. In addition, the First Amendment adds Canadian dollars as a currency and the Canadian Dollar Banker's Acceptance Rate as an index for borrowing in Canadian dollars. In November 2013, the Company borrowed approximately $33,200,000 from available funds under its 2012 Credit Agreement, as amended, to fund the acquisition of Carmanah.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Summa1

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Critical Accounting Policies	'
	Critical Accounting Policies
	Critical accounting policies are defined as those that entail significant judgments and estimates, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company believes that the most critical accounting policies upon which its financial position depends, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, concern revenue recognition and accounts receivable, warranty obligations, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, inventories, pension obligations, and derivatives. A discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies is included in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.
Warranty Obligations	'
	Warranty Obligations
	The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time of sale based on the actual historical occurrence rates and repair costs. The Company typically negotiates the terms regarding warranty coverage and length of warranty depending on the products and applications. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, the Company's warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, repair costs, service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure, and supplier warranties on parts delivered to the Company. Should actual product failure rates, repair costs, service delivery costs, or supplier warranties on parts differ from the Company's estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11. Currently, GAAP does not include explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This ASU clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows: to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This ASU applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, although early adoption is permitted. This ASU will be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. The Company has not yet adopted this ASU and is currently evaluating the effect the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-10. This ASU permits the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes, in addition to the U.S. government treasury obligation rate and the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This ASU also removes the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. This ASU is effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The Company adopted this ASU in the third quarter of 2013, which did not have an effect on its consolidated financial statements. The Company will consider the guidance in this ASU for future transactions in which the Company elects to apply hedge accounting of the benchmark interest rate.
	Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting. In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-07. This ASU clarifies when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting. In addition, the guidance provides principles for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities and requirements for financial statements prepared using the liquidation basis of accounting. The ASU requires an organization to prepare its financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting when liquidation is imminent. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
	Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05. When a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. This ASU will be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. Prior periods should not be adjusted. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
Derivatives	'
	The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to reduce its exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. When the Company enters into a derivative contract, the Company makes a determination as to whether the transaction is deemed to be a hedge for accounting purposes. For a contract deemed to be a hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative instrument and the risk being hedged. In this documentation, the Company specifically identifies the asset, liability, forecasted transaction, cash flow, or net investment that has been designated as the hedged item, and evaluates whether the derivative instrument is expected to reduce the risks associated with the hedged item. To the extent these criteria are not met, the Company does not use hedge accounting for the derivative. The changes in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge are recorded currently in earnings. The Company does not hold or engage in transactions involving derivative instruments for purposes other than risk management.
	ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging," requires that all derivatives be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the related gains or losses on these contracts are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive items. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in the period in which the underlying anticipated transaction occurs. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the unrealized gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements are recognized in earnings in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the currency gains and losses on the underlying exposures being hedged. The Company performs an evaluation of the effectiveness of the hedge both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The ineffective portion of a hedge, if any, and changes in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge are recorded in the condensed consolidated statement of income.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Summa2

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
		Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)	28-Sep-13			29-Sep-12
	Non-Cash Investing Activities:
	Fair Value of Assets Acquired	$	22,688		$	–
	Cash Paid for Acquired Businesses		(15,332	)		–
	Liabilities Assumed of Acquired Businesses	$	7,356		$	–
	Non-Cash Financing Activities:
	Issuance of Company Common Stock	$	2,515		$	1,967
	Dividends Declared but Unpaid	$	1,393		$	–
Inventories	'
	The components of inventories are as follows:
		September 28,			December 29,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Raw Materials and Supplies	$	20,422		$	19,561
	Work in Process		13,656			8,371
	Finished Goods		16,847			14,145
		$	50,925		$	42,077
Warranty Obligations	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty costs included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)	28-Sep-13			29-Sep-12
	Balance at beginning of period	$	4,462		$	4,129
	Provision		969			1,128
	Usage		(1,366	)		(1,171	)
	Acquired		138			–
	Currency translation		62			34
	Balance at end of period	$	4,265		$	4,120

Restructuring_Costs_and_Other_1

Restructuring Costs and Other (Income) Expense, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Restructuring Costs and Other (Income) Expense, Net [Abstract]	'
Summary of changes in accrued restructuring costs	'
	A summary of the changes in accrued restructuring costs included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
	(In thousands)	Other			Severance Costs			Total
		Costs						Costs
	Provision	$	45		$	1,958		$	2,003
	Usage		(46	)		(633	)		(679	)
	Currency translation		1			(86	)		(85	)
	Balance at September 28, 2013	$	–		$	1,239		$	1,239

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and diluted earnings per share	'
	Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,		September 28,			September 29,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012		2013			2012
	Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
	Income from Continuing Operations	$	6,461		$	7,617	$	17,546		$	21,277
	(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation		(14	)		844		(55	)		780
	Net Income	$	6,447		$	8,461	$	17,491		$	22,057
	Basic Weighted Average Shares		11,153			11,341		11,165			11,523
	Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan		212			150		156			110
	Diluted Weighted Average Shares		11,365			11,491		11,321			11,633
	Basic Earnings per Share:
	Continuing Operations	$	0.58		$	0.67	$	1.57		$	1.85
	Discontinued Operation	$	–		$	0.07	$	–		$	0.07
	Net Income per Basic Share	$	0.58		$	0.75	$	1.57		$	1.91
	Diluted Earnings per Share:
	Continuing Operations	$	0.57		$	0.66	$	1.55		$	1.83
	Discontinued Operation	$	–		$	0.07	$	–		$	0.07
	Net Income per Diluted Share	$	0.57		$	0.74	$	1.55		$	1.9

LongTerm_Obligations_Tables

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Long-Term Obligations [Abstract]	'
Long-term obligations	'
	Long-term obligations are as follows:
		September 28,			December 29,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Revolving Credit Facility, due 2017	$	8,000		$	–
	Variable Rate Term Loan, due from 2013 to 2016		6,500			6,875
	Total Long-Term Obligations		14,500			6,875
	Less: Current Maturities		(625	)		(625	)
	Long-Term Obligations, less Current Maturities	$	13,875		$	6,250

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Components of net periodic benefit cost and assumptions used	'
	The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension benefits and other benefits plans are as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		28-Sep-13						29-Sep-12
	(In thousands)	Pension			Other			Pension			Other
		Benefits			Benefits			Benefits			Benefits
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
	Service cost	$	245		$	54		$	243		$	34
	Interest cost		289			69			331			56
	Expected return on plan assets		(375	)		(13	)		(407	)		–
	Recognized net actuarial loss		127			23			160			8
	Amortization of prior service cost		14			21			14			6
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	300		$	154		$	341		$	104
	The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
	Discount rate		3.89	%		3.9	%		4.28	%		4.43	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		5.75	%		–			6.25	%		–
	Rate of compensation increase		3.5	%		3.65	%		4	%		3.45	%
		Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		28-Sep-13						29-Sep-12
	(In thousands)	Pension			Other			Pension			Other
		Benefits			Benefits			Benefits			Benefits
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
	Service cost	$	744		$	160		$	748		$	107
	Interest cost		873			208			982			171
	Expected return on plan assets		(1,128	)		(39	)		(1,208	)		–
	Recognized net actuarial loss		393			66			474			25
	Amortization of prior service cost		42			63			42			17
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	924		$	458		$	1,038		$	320
	The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
	Discount rate		3.89	%		3.92	%		4.28	%		4.43	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		5.75	%		–			6.25	%		–
	Rate of compensation increase		3.5	%		3.66	%		4	%		3.46	%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Abstract]	'
Components of accumulated other comprehensive items	'
	The change in accumulated other comprehensive items (AOCI) by component, net of tax, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet is as follows:
	(In thousands)		Foreign			Unrecognized				Deferred Loss			Deferred Loss			Accumulated
			Currency			Prior Service				on Pension and			on Hedging			Other
			Translation			Cost				Other Post-			Instruments			Comprehensive
			Adjustment							Retirement						Items
										Plans
	Balance at December 29, 2012		$	8,124		$	(748	)		$	(9,645	)	$	(1,046	)	$	(3,315	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			1,143			–				(6	)		(81	)		1,056
	Reclassifications from AOCI			–			68				300			431			799
	Net current period other comprehensive  income			1,143			68				294			350			1,855
	Balance at September 28, 2013		$	9,267		$	(680	)		$	(9,351	)	$	(696	)	$	(1,460	)
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive items	'
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive items are as follows:
			Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands)		28-Sep-13			28-Sep-13			Income Statement Line Item
	Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans: (1)
	Amortization of prior service cost		$	(35	)	$	(105	)	Selling, general, and administrative expenses
	Amortization of actuarial losses			(150	)		(459	)	Selling, general, and administrative expenses
	Total expense before income taxes			(185	)		(564	)
	Income tax benefit			65			196		Provision for income taxes
				(120	)		(368	)
	Cash Flow Hedges: (2)
	Interest rate swap agreements			(91	)		(287	)	Interest expense
	Forward currency-exchange contracts			(70	)		(153	)	Revenues
	Total expense before income taxes			(161	)		(440	)
	Income tax benefit			56			9		Provision for income taxes
				(105	)		(431	)
	Total reclassifications		$	(225	)	$	(799	)
	-1	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 8 for additional information.
	-2	See Note 10 for additional information.

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Derivatives [Abstract]	'
Fair value of derivative instruments	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments designated and not designated as hedging instruments, the notional values of the associated derivative contracts, and the location of these instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheet:
				28-Sep-13							29-Dec-12
				Asset				Notional			Asset			Notional
	(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location		(Liability) (a)				Amount (b)			(Liability) (a)			Amount
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
	Derivatives in an Asset Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Assets		$	–			$	–		$	5		$	269
	Derivatives in a Liability Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Liabilities		$	(42	)		$	1,340		$	(161	)	$	3,180
	Interest rate swap agreement	Other Current Liabilities		$	–			$	–		$	(19	)	$	–
	Interest rate swap agreement	Other Long-Term Liabilities		$	(853	)		$	6,500		$	(1,029	)	$	6,875
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
	Derivatives in an Asset Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Assets		$	37			$	1,463		$	24		$	1,013
	Derivatives in a Liability Position:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	Other Current Liabilities		$	–			$	–		$	(12	)	$	815
	(a)	See Note 11 for the fair value measurements related to these financial instruments.
	(b)	The total notional amount is indicative of the level of the Company's derivative activity during the first nine months of 2013.
Activity in accumulated other comprehensive items (OCI)	'
	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive items (OCI) associated with the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of and for the period ended September 28, 2013:
	(In thousands)		Interest Rate Swap				Forward Currency-			Total
			Agreements				Exchange
							Contracts
	Unrealized loss, net of tax, at December 29, 2012		$	(939	)		$	(107	)	$	(1,046	)
	Loss reclassified to earnings (a)			329				102			431
	Loss recognized in OCI			(58	)			(23	)		(81	)
	Unrealized loss, net of tax, at September 28, 2013		$	(668	)		$	(28	)	$	(696	)
	(a)   Included in interest expense and provision for income taxes for interest rate swap agreements and in revenues for forward currency-exchange contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis	'
	The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		Fair Value as of September 28, 2013
	(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds and time deposits	$	33,004	$	–	$	–	$	33,004
	Banker's acceptance drafts (a)	$	–	$	10,577	$	–	$	10,577
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	$	–	$	37	$	–	$	37
	Liabilities:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	$	–	$	42	$	–	$	42
	Interest rate swap agreement	$	–	$	853	$	–	$	853
		Fair Value as of December 29, 2012
	(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds and time deposits	$	19,768	$	–	$	–	$	19,768
	Banker's acceptance drafts (a)	$	–	$	9,794	$	–	$	9,794
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	$	–	$	29	$	–	$	29
	Liabilities:
	Forward currency-exchange contracts	$	–	$	173	$	–	$	173
	Interest rate swap agreements	$	–	$	1,048	$	–	$	1,048
	(a)	Included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Carrying value and fair value of debt obligations	'
	The carrying value and fair value of the Company's long-term debt obligations are as follows:
		28-Sep-13				29-Dec-12
		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	(In thousands)	Value		Value		Value		Value
	Long-term debt obligations	$	13,875	$	13,875	$	6,250	$	6,250

Business_Segment_Information_T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Business Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Business segment information	'
	The Company has combined its operating entities into one reportable operating segment, Papermaking Systems, and a separate product line, Fiber-based Products. In classifying operational entities into a particular segment, the Company aggregated businesses with similar economic characteristics, products and services, production processes, customers, and methods of distribution.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Papermaking Systems	$	89,465		$	85,211		$	241,115		$	245,322
	Fiber-based Products		1,850			1,390			8,569			8,374
		$	91,315		$	86,601		$	249,684		$	253,696
	Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes:
	Papermaking Systems	$	14,210		$	14,385		$	35,975		$	38,261
	Corporate and Fiber-based Products (a)		(4,298	)		(4,471	)		(10,266	)		(8,542	)
	Total Operating Income		9,912			9,914			25,709			29,719
	Interest Expense, Net		(84	)		(156	)		(229	)		(393	)
		$	9,828		$	9,758		$	25,480		$	29,326
	Capital Expenditures:
	Papermaking Systems	$	1,427		$	578		$	3,825		$	1,339
	Corporate and Fiber-based Products		150			95			324			175
		$	1,577		$	673		$	4,149		$	1,514
	(a) Corporate primarily includes general and administrative expenses.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Summa3

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
	Segment	Segment	Segment
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	1	1	1	'
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Fair value of assets acquired	'	$22,688,000	$0	'
Cash paid for acquired businesses	'	-15,332,000	0	'
Liabilities assumed of acquired businesses	'	7,356,000	0	'
Cash Flow, Noncash Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of Company common stock	'	2,515,000	1,967,000	'
Dividends declared but unpaid	1,393,000	1,393,000	0	'
Restricted Cash [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Restricted Cash	166,000	166,000	'	0
Banker's Acceptance Drafts [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Banker's acceptance drafts	10,577,000	10,577,000	'	9,794,000
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Raw Materials and Supplies	20,422,000	20,422,000	'	19,561,000
Work in Process	13,656,000	13,656,000	'	8,371,000
Finished Goods	16,847,000	16,847,000	'	14,145,000
Inventories	50,925,000	50,925,000	'	42,077,000
Changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty costs [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	'	4,462,000	4,129,000	'
Provision	'	969,000	1,128,000	'
Usage	'	-1,366,000	-1,171,000	'
Standard Product Warranty Accrual, Additions from Business Acquisition	'	138,000	0	'
Currency translation	'	62,000	34,000	'
Balance at end of period	$4,265,000	$4,265,000	$4,120,000	'

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 12, 2013	3-May-13	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
	Companhia Brasileira de Tecnologia Industrial (CBTI) [Member]	Noss Group (Noss) [Member]	Acquisitions [Member]	Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Paid to Acquire Entity	$8,140,000	$6,708,000	'	'
Escrow Deposit	3,550,000	1,970,000	'	'
Future Escrow Deposit Disbursements	1,520,000	'	'	'
Retained For Redundancy Payments	'	1,170,000	'	'
Cash Acquired	1,123,000	'	'	'
Intercompany Liability Assumed	484,000	'	'	'
Acquisition transaction costs	'	'	'	780,000
Identifiable intangible assets acquired	'	'	1,938,000	1,938,000
Weighted average useful life of acquired intangible assets	'	'	'7 years	'
Total goodwill acquired	'	'	$2,159,000	$2,159,000

Restructuring_Costs_and_Other_2

Restructuring Costs and Other (Income) Expense, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Restructuring Costs And Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Costs And Other (Income) Expense, Net	$45,000	$0	$263,000	$307,000
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Provision	'	'	2,003,000	'
Usage	'	'	-679,000	'
Currency translation	'	'	-85,000	'
Balance at end of period	1,239,000	'	1,239,000	'
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | CHINA [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Costs And Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	'	'	'	307,000
Pre-tax gain from sale of real estate	'	'	1,740,000	'
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Provision	'	'	1,958,000	'
Usage	'	'	-633,000	'
Currency translation	'	'	-86,000	'
Balance at end of period	1,239,000	'	1,239,000	'
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | SWEDEN [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Costs And Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of employees reduced due to restructuring	'	'	25	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Provision	'	'	628,000	'
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | Employee Severance [Member] | BRAZIL [Member} | 2013 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Costs And Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of employees reduced due to restructuring	'	'	22	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Provision	'	'	1,330,000	'
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | Other Cost [Member] | 2013 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Provision	'	'	45,000	'
Usage	'	'	-46,000	'
Currency translation	'	'	1,000	'
Balance at end of period	0	'	0	'
Papermaking Systems Segment [Member] | Other Cost [Member] | BRAZIL [Member} | 2013 Restructuring Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Provision	'	'	$45,000	'

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Amounts Attributable to Kadant [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Income from Continuing Operations	$6,461	$7,617	$17,546	$21,277
(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operation	-14	844	-55	780
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$6,447	$8,461	$17,491	$22,057
Basic Weighted Average Shares (in shares)	11,153,000	11,341,000	11,165,000	11,523,000
Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (in shares)	212,000	150,000	156,000	110,000
Diluted Weighted Average Shares (in shares)	11,365,000	11,491,000	11,321,000	11,633,000
Basic Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.67	$1.57	$1.85
Discontinued operation (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.07	$0	$0.07
Net Income per Basic Share (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.75	$1.57	$1.91
Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.66	$1.55	$1.83
Discontinued operation (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.07	$0	$0.07
Net Income per Diluted Share (in dollars per share)	$0.57	$0.74	$1.55	$1.90
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	92,900	164,400	99,000	145,300
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	'	0	27,200	38,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	$3,327	$2,055	$7,786	$7,898
Effective income tax rate (in hundredths)	34.00%	21.00%	31.00%	27.00%

LongTerm_Obligations_Details

Long-Term Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Total Long-Term Obligations	$14,500,000	$6,875,000
Less: Current Maturities	-625,000	-625,000
Long-Term Obligations, less Current Maturities	13,875,000	6,250,000
Weighted average interest rate for long-term obligations (in hundredths)	3.51%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Total Long-Term Obligations	8,000,000	0
Term of unsecured revolving credit facility	'5 years	'
Borrowing capacity available under committed portion	100,000,000	'
Additional borrowing capacity	50,000,000	'
Maturity date	3-Aug-17	'
Interest rate description	'Interest on any loans outstanding under the 2012 Credit Agreement accrues and is payable quarterly in arrears at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (i) the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1%, (b) the prime rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1% and (c) the Eurocurrency rate, as defined, plus 0.50% plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1% or (ii) the Eurocurrency rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin of 1% to 2%. The applicable margin is determined based upon the ratio of the Company's total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), as defined in the 2012 Credit Agreement. For this purpose, total debt is defined as total debt less up to $25,000,000 of unrestricted domestic cash.	'
Maximum capital expenditures	25,000,000	'
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio	3.5	'
Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio	3	'
Remaining borrowing capacity	91,290,000	'
Face amount of debt	100,000,000	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	'federal funds rate	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	0.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	'prime rate	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	0.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	'Eurocurrency rate	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	0.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate Two [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	'Eurocurrency rate	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate Two [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	1.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate Two [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Margin rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	2.00%	'
Variable Rate Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt obligations [Line Items]	'	'
Total Long-Term Obligations	$6,500,000	$6,875,000

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,236,000	$1,298,000	$3,794,000	$3,560,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock awards	$5,308,000	'	$5,308,000	'
Recognition period	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'	'	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Contributions to noncontributory defined benefit plan	'	'	$810,000	'
Expected contributions to nonconributory defined benefit plan for the remainder of the year	270,000	'	270,000	'
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'	'	'	'
Service cost	245,000	243,000	744,000	748,000
Interest cost	289,000	331,000	873,000	982,000
Expected return on plan assets	-375,000	-407,000	-1,128,000	-1,208,000
Recognized net actuarial loss	127,000	160,000	393,000	474,000
Amortization of prior service cost	14,000	14,000	42,000	42,000
Net periodic benefit cost	300,000	341,000	924,000	1,038,000
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	3.89%	4.28%	3.89%	4.28%
Expected long-term return on plan assets (in hundredths)	5.75%	6.25%	5.75%	6.25%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	3.50%	4.00%	3.50%	4.00%
Other Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'	'	'	'
Service cost	54,000	34,000	160,000	107,000
Interest cost	69,000	56,000	208,000	171,000
Expected return on plan assets	-13,000	0	-39,000	0
Recognized net actuarial loss	23,000	8,000	66,000	25,000
Amortization of prior service cost	21,000	6,000	63,000	17,000
Net periodic benefit cost	$154,000	$104,000	$458,000	$320,000
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Discount rate (in hundredths)	3.90%	4.43%	3.92%	4.43%
Expected long-term return on plan assets (in hundredths)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Rate of compensation increase (in hundredths)	3.65%	3.45%	3.66%	3.46%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 29, 2012	($3,315)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,056
Reclassifications from AOCI	799
Net current period other comprehensive income	1,855
Balance at September 28, 2013	-1,460
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 29, 2012	8,124
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,143
Reclassifications from AOCI	0
Net current period other comprehensive income	1,143
Balance at September 28, 2013	9,267
Unrecognized Prior Service Cost [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 29, 2012	-748
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0
Reclassifications from AOCI	68
Net current period other comprehensive income	68
Balance at September 28, 2013	-680
Deferred Loss on Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 29, 2012	-9,645
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-6
Reclassifications from AOCI	300
Net current period other comprehensive income	294
Balance at September 28, 2013	-9,351
Deferred Loss on Hedging Instruments [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 29, 2012	-1,046
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-81
Reclassifications from AOCI	431
Net current period other comprehensive income	350
Balance at September 28, 2013	($696)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items, Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 28, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax	'		$799
Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax	'		68
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax	'		431
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Net Of Tax	-225	[1]	-799	[1]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Transition Asset (Obligation), Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax	-185	[2]	-564	[2]
Income tax benefit	65	[2]	196	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]	-120	[2]	-368	[2]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans [Member] | Amortization of Prior Service Cost [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Amortization, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax	-35	[2]	-105	[2]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans [Member] | Amortization Of Actuarial Losses [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, before Tax	-150	[2]	-459	[2]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	-161	[1]	-440	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	-161	[1]	-440	[1]
Income tax benefit	56	[1]	9	[1]
Total reclassifications, net of tax	-105	[1]	-431	[1]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	-91	[1]	-287	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	-91	[1]	-287	[1]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]	'		'
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]	'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	-70	[1]	-153	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	($70)	[1]	($153)	[1]
[1]	See Note 10 for additional information.
[2]	Included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs. See Note 8 for additional information.

Derivatives_Details

Derivatives (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

2006 Swap Agreement [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]

Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]

Other Long Term Liabilities [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Other Current Liabilities [Member]

Interest Rate Swaps [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed rate of interest (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of effectiveness of interest rate swap agreement (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financial covenants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1, maximum annual capital expenditures of $25,000,000, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of 3.5 to 1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum consolidated leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized loss on derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

853,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum period over which entity manages its level of exposure of risk

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized gains (losses)

37,000

-14,000

50,000

-39,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives in an Asset Position [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives in an asset position

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[1]

5,000

[1]

'

'

37,000

[1]

24,000

[1]

'

'

Notional amount, Derivative asset

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[2]

269,000

'

'

1,463,000

[2]

1,013,000

'

'

Derivatives in a Liability Position [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives in a liability position

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[1]

-19,000

[1]

-853,000

[1]

-1,029,000

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

-42,000

[1]

-161,000

[1]

'

'

0

[1]

-12,000

[1]

Notional amount, Derivative liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[2]

0

6,500,000

[2]

6,875,000

'

'

'

'

'

1,340,000

[2]

3,180,000

'

'

0

[2]

815,000

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items, Net of Tax [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized loss, net of tax, at beginning of period

'

'

'

'

'

-1,046,000

'

'

'

-939,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

-107,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss reclassified to earnings

'

'

'

'

431,000

[3]

'

'

'

329,000

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

102,000

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss recognized in OCI

-61,000

-93,000

-350,000

-83,000

-81,000

'

'

'

-58,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

-23,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized loss, net of tax, at end of period

'

'

'

'

-696,000

-1,046,000

'

'

-668,000

-939,000

'

'

'

'

'

-28,000

-107,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net unrealized loss included in OCI expected to be reclassified to earnings over the next 12 months

$298,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

See Note 11 for the fair value measurements related to these financial instruments.

[2]

The total notional amount is indicative of the level of the Companybs derivative activity during the first nine months of 2013.

[3]

Included in interest expense and provision for income taxes for interest rate swap agreements and in revenues for forward currency-exchange contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term debt obligations	$13,875		$6,250
Carrying Value [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term debt obligations	13,875		6,250
Recurring [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Money market funds and time deposits	33,004		19,768
Banker's acceptance drafts	10,577	[1]	9,794	[1]
Forward currency-exchange contracts	37		29
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Forward currency-exchange contracts	42		173
Interest rate swap agreements	853		1,048
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Money market funds and time deposits	33,004		19,768
Banker's acceptance drafts	0	[1]	0	[1]
Forward currency-exchange contracts	0		0
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Forward currency-exchange contracts	0		0
Interest rate swap agreements	0		0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Money market funds and time deposits	0		0
Banker's acceptance drafts	10,577	[1]	9,794	[1]
Forward currency-exchange contracts	37		29
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Forward currency-exchange contracts	42		173
Interest rate swap agreements	853		1,048
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Money market funds and time deposits	0		0
Banker's acceptance drafts	0	[1]	0	[1]
Forward currency-exchange contracts	0		0
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Forward currency-exchange contracts	0		0
Interest rate swap agreements	$0		$0
[1]	Included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Business_Segment_Information_D

Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 29, 2012		Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 29, 2012
	Segment				Segment		Segment
Business Segment Information [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Number of reportable segments	1		'		1		1
Revenues by Product line [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	$91,315		$86,601		$249,684		$253,696
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total operating income	9,912		9,914		25,709		29,719
Interest expense, net	-84		-156		-229		-393
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes	9,828		9,758		25,480		29,326
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	1,577		673		4,149		1,514
Papermaking Systems	'		'		'		'
Revenues by Product line [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	89,465		85,211		241,115		245,322
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total operating income	14,210		14,385		35,975		38,261
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	1,427		578		3,825		1,339
Fiber based Products [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenues by Product line [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Revenues	1,850		1,390		8,569		8,374
Corporate and Fiber-based Products [Member]	'		'		'		'
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total operating income	-4,298	[1]	-4,471	[1]	-10,266	[1]	-8,542	[1]
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Capital expenditures	$150		$95		$324		$175
[1]	Corporate primarily includes general and administrative expenses.

Contingencies_and_Litigation_D

Contingencies and Litigation (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Right of Recourse [Abstract]	'	'
Banker's acceptance drafts with recourse	$5,683,000	$4,170,000

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member])	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Nov. 06, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Nov. 06, 2013	Nov. 06, 2013
	First Amendment [Member]	First Amendment [Member]	Carmanah [Member]	Carmanah [Member]	Carmanah [Member]
	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	CAD
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Shares acquired for cash	'	'	'	$52,000,000	54,000,000
Escrow Deposit	'	'	'	'	7,000,000
Incremental borrowings	33,200,000	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	'	'	$333,000	'	'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	'	1-Nov-18	'	'	'