Kadant (KAI) 10-Q 9 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 27, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	KADANT INC
Entity Central Index Key	886,346
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,090,209

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,210	$ 75,425
Restricted cash	1,532	1,421
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $3,216 and $2,879	91,529	89,624
Inventories	95,840	84,933
Unbilled revenue	2,375	2,374
Other current assets	14,429	12,246
Total Current Assets	277,915	266,023
Property, Plant, and Equipment, at Cost	169,523	165,231
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	88,851	85,508
Property, Plant, and Equipment, at Cost, Net	80,672	79,723
Other Assets	14,541	14,311
Intangible Assets, Net	129,635	133,036
Goodwill	269,514	268,001
Total Assets	772,277	761,094
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term obligations	710	696
Accounts payable	37,026	35,461
Customer deposits	40,034	30,103
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	23,400	29,616
Advanced billings	5,745	7,316
Other current liabilities	25,274	29,038
Total Current Liabilities	132,189	132,230
Long-Term Obligations	240,226	241,384
Long-Term Deferred Income Taxes	29,125	29,085
Other Long-Term Liabilities	25,510	25,891
Commitments and Contingencies
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	99,828	103,221
Retained earnings	351,355	342,893
Treasury stock at cost, 3,533,950 and 3,613,838 shares	(86,596)	(88,554)
Accumulated other comprehensive items	(21,212)	(26,715)
Total Kadant Stockholders' Equity	343,521	330,991
Noncontrolling interest	1,706	1,513
Total Stockholders' Equity	345,227	332,504
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 772,277	$ 761,094

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Current Assets:
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 3,216	$ 2,879
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)	3,533,950	3,613,838

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 149,193	$ 102,857
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenues	83,114	53,840
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	45,776	34,620
Research and development expenses	2,869	2,147
Restructuring costs	770	0
Total Costs and Operating Expenses	132,529	90,607
Operating Income	16,664	12,250
Interest Income	183	104
Interest Expense	(1,732)	(348)
Other Expense, Net	(246)	(204)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	14,869	11,802
Provision for Income Taxes	3,861	2,735
Net Income	11,008	9,067
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(150)	(116)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 10,858	$ 8,951
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.82
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.96	$ 0.80
Weighted Average Shares:
Basic (in shares)	11,042	10,952
Diluted (in shares)	11,342	11,205
Cash Dividend Declared per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.21

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 11,008	$ 9,067
Other Comprehensive Items:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	5,336	5,032
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments, net (net of tax provision of $34 and $49)	117	82
Deferred gain on cash flow hedges (net of tax provision of $8 and $15)	93	27
Other Comprehensive Items	5,546	5,141
Comprehensive Income	16,554	14,208
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(193)	(162)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 16,361	$ 14,046

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Other Comprehensive Items:
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments, tax effect	$ 34	$ 49
Deferred gain on cash flow hedges, tax effect	$ 8	$ 15

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Operating Activities
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 10,858	$ 8,951
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	150	116
Net income	11,008	9,067
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,099	3,256
Stock-based compensation expense	1,464	1,295
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	316	129
Loss on the sale of property, plant, and equipment	24	41
Other items, net	(386)	180
Contributions to U.S. pension plan	0	(90)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(799)	(5,043)
Unbilled revenue	2,064	(1,134)
Inventories	(9,674)	(3,964)
Other current assets	(435)	(1,886)
Accounts payable	3,854	805
Other current liabilities	(6,319)	(973)
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,216	1,683
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(5,151)	(1,722)
Acquisition	0	(165)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	28	0
Other investing activities	0	(2)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,123)	(1,889)
Financing Activities
Repayment of debt	(13,382)	(4,610)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	12,000	8,000
Tax withholding payments related to stock-based compensation	(3,641)	(2,182)
Dividends paid	(2,316)	(2,078)
Proceeds from issuance of Company common stock	742	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	(654)
Other financing activities	(111)	(118)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,708)	(1,642)
Exchange Rate Effect on Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	1,511	1,362
Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	(3,104)	(486)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period	76,846	73,569
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at End of Period	$ 73,742	$ 73,083

Condensed Consolidated Stateme8

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		14,624,159			3,686,532
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 284,279	$ 146	$ 101,405	$ 321,050	$ (90,335)	$ (49,637)	$ 1,650
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	9,067			8,951			116
Dividend declared	(2,310)			(2,310)
Activity under stock plans (in shares)					(63,020)
Activity under stock plans	(887)		(2,431)		$ 1,544
Other comprehensive items	5,141					5,095	46
Ending balance (in shares) at Apr. 01, 2017		14,624,159			3,623,512
Ending balance at Apr. 01, 2017	295,290	$ 146	98,974	327,691	$ (88,791)	(44,542)	1,812
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adjustments for the adoption of ASC 606 and ASU No. 2016-16 | ASU No. 2014-09 [Member]	119			119
Adjustments for the adoption of ASC 606 and ASU No. 2016-16 | ASU No. 2016-16 [Member]	(75)			(75)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2017		14,624,159			3,613,838
Beginning balance at Dec. 30, 2017	332,504	$ 146	103,221	342,893	$ (88,554)	(26,715)	1,513
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	11,008			10,858			150
Dividend declared	(2,440)			(2,440)
Activity under stock plans (in shares)					(79,888)
Activity under stock plans	(1,435)		(3,393)		$ 1,958
Other comprehensive items	5,546					5,503	43
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		14,624,159			3,533,950
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 345,227	$ 146	$ 99,828	$ 351,355	$ (86,596)	$ (21,212)	$ 1,706

Nature of Operations and Summar

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Kadant Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in November 1991 and currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KAI." Kadant Inc. and its subsidiaries' (collectively, the Company) operations include two reportable operating segments, Papermaking Systems and Wood Processing 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 for the global papermaking, paper recycling, recycling and waste management, and other process industries. The Company's principal products include custom-engineered stock-preparation systems and equipment for the preparation of wastepaper for conversion into recycled paper and balers and related equipment used in the processing of recyclable and waste materials; fluid-handling systems and equipment used in industrial piping systems to compensate for movement and to efficiently transfer fluid, power, and data; doctoring systems and equipment and related consumables important to the efficient operation of paper machines and other industrial processes; and filtration and cleaning systems essential for draining, purifying, and recycling process water and cleaning fabrics, belts, and rolls in various process industries. Through its Wood Processing Systems segment, the Company develops, manufactures, and markets stranders, debarkers, chippers, and logging machinery used in the harvesting and production of lumber and oriented strand board. Through this segment, the Company also provides refurbishment and repair of pulping equipment for the pulp and paper industry. Through its Fiber-based Products business, the Company manufactures and sells biodegradable, absorbent granules derived from papermaking by-products for use primarily as carriers for agricultural, home lawn and garden, and professional lawn, turf and ornamental 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 March 31, 2018 and its results of operations and comprehensive income for the three -month periods ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 , and its cash flows and stockholders' equity for the three -month periods ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017 . 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 30, 2017 has been derived from the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 . 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 30, 2017 , filed with the SEC. Financial Statement Presentation Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform with current reporting. As a result of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost , certain components of net benefit cost have been reclassified from operating income to non-operating expenses and included in other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income in the 2017 period. In addition, as a result of the adoption of the FASB's ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash , the change in restricted cash has been reclassified from financing activities and exchange rate effect on cash and included in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in the 2017 period. Effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (Topic 606), using a modified retrospective method. See Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements in this footnote for further discussion. Results for fiscal 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and are reported under the Company's prior method of reporting revenue recognition in accordance with Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) (Topic 605). The impact on any financial statement line item created by applying Topic 606 versus Topic 605 to the Company's results for the first quarter of 2018 is not material. Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies 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. 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, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, inventories, and pension obligations. 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 30, 2017 , and in Revenue Recognition and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), in this footnote. Although the Company makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements or in the application of accounting policies, if business conditions were different, or if the Company were to use different estimates and assumptions, it is possible that materially different amounts could be reported in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Supplemental Cash Flow Information Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, April 1, Cash Paid for Interest $ 2,459 $ 388 Cash Paid for Income Taxes, Net of Refunds $ 8,455 $ 3,774 Non-Cash Investing Activities: Estimated post-closing adjustment (a) $ 400 $ — Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment $ 1,816 $ 125 Non-Cash Financing Activities: Issuance of Company common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units $ 2,755 $ 2,640 Dividends declared but unpaid $ 2,440 $ 2,310 (a) Represents an estimated post-closing purchase price adjustment related to the 2017 acquisition of certain assets of Unaflex, LLC, which is expected to be settled in 2018. Restricted Cash The Company's restricted cash serves as collateral for bank guarantees primarily associated with providing assurance to customers that the Company will fulfill certain customer obligations entered into in the normal course of business. The majority of the bank guarantees will expire by the end of 2018. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet that are shown in aggregate in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows: (In thousands) March 31, April 1, December 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 72,210 $ 71,540 $ 75,425 $ 71,487 Restricted cash 1,532 1,543 1,421 2,082 Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash $ 73,742 $ 73,083 $ 76,846 $ 73,569 Banker's Acceptance Drafts included in Accounts Receivable 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 noninterest bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company's subsidiaries may 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 $12,021,000 at March 31, 2018 and $15,960,000 at December 30, 2017 , are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet until the subsidiary sells the drafts to a bank and receives a discounted amount, transfers the banker's acceptance drafts in settlement of current accounts payable prior to maturity, or obtains cash payment on the scheduled maturity date. Inventories The components of inventories are as follows: March 31, December 30, (In thousands) Raw Materials and Supplies $ 42,582 $ 38,952 Work in Process 22,395 18,203 Finished Goods 30,863 27,778 $ 95,840 $ 84,933 Intangible Assets, Net Acquired intangible assets by major asset class are as follows: (In thousands) Gross Currency Accumulated Net March 31, 2018 Definite-Lived Customer relationships $ 113,283 $ (419 ) $ (31,196 ) $ 81,668 Product technology 46,501 (584 ) (20,797 ) 25,120 Tradenames 5,227 (218 ) (1,628 ) 3,381 Other 13,744 (28 ) (11,178 ) 2,538 178,755 (1,249 ) (64,799 ) 112,707 Indefinite-Lived Tradenames 16,600 328 — 16,928 Acquired Intangible Assets $ 195,355 $ (921 ) $ (64,799 ) $ 129,635 December 30, 2017 Definite-Lived Customer relationships $ 113,301 $ (621 ) $ (28,789 ) $ 83,891 Product technology 46,501 (737 ) (19,841 ) 25,923 Tradenames 5,227 (262 ) (1,504 ) 3,461 Other 13,754 (35 ) (10,863 ) 2,856 178,783 (1,655 ) (60,997 ) 116,131 Indefinite-Lived Tradenames 16,600 305 — 16,905 Acquired Intangible Assets $ 195,383 $ (1,350 ) $ (60,997 ) $ 133,036 Intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition and are stated net of accumulated amortization and currency translation in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets over lives that have been determined based on the anticipated cash flow benefits of the intangible asset. Goodwill The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment are as follows: (In thousands) Papermaking Systems Segment Wood Processing Systems Segment Total Balance at December 30, 2017 Gross balance $ 247,014 $ 106,496 $ 353,510 Accumulated impairment losses (85,509 ) — (85,509 ) Net balance 161,505 106,496 268,001 2018 Adjustments Acquisitions (a) (309 ) (75 ) (384 ) Currency translation 2,131 (234 ) 1,897 Total 2018 adjustments 1,822 (309 ) 1,513 Balance at March 31, 2018 Gross balance 248,836 106,187 355,023 Accumulated impairment losses (85,509 ) — (85,509 ) Net balance $ 163,327 $ 106,187 $ 269,514 (a) Relates to adjustments to the purchase price allocation, principally for inventory, for acquisitions completed in 2017. The purchase price allocation for the Company's 2017 acquisitions will be finalized by the second quarter of 2018 and any resulting adjustments are not expected to be material. Warranty Obligations The changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty costs included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, April 1, Balance at December 30, 2017 $ 5,498 $ 3,843 Provision charged to expense 715 804 Usage (364 ) (570 ) Currency translation 61 62 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 5,910 $ 4,139 Revenue Recognition Effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606, using a modified retrospective method. See Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements in this footnote for further discussion. Results for fiscal 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and are reported in accordance with Topic 605. The impact on any financial statement line item created by applying Topic 606 versus Topic 605 to the Company's results for the first quarter of 2018 is not material. Approximately 95% of the Company’s revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was recognized at a point in time for each performance obligation under the contract when the customer obtains control of the goods or service. The majority of the Company’s parts and consumables products and capital products with minimal customization are accounted for at a point in time. The Company has made a policy election to not treat the obligation to ship as a separate performance obligation under the contract and, as a result, the associated shipping costs are accrued when revenue is recognized. The remaining 5% of the Company’s revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was recognized on an over time basis based on an input method that compares the costs incurred to date to the total expected costs required to satisfy the performance obligation. Contracts are accounted for on an over time basis when they include products which have no alternative use and an enforceable right to payment over time. The majority of the contracts recognized on an over time basis are for large capital projects within the Company's Stock-Preparation product line and, to a lesser extent, its Fluid-Handling and Doctoring, Cleaning, and Filtration product lines. These projects are highly customized for the customer and as a result would include a significant cost to rework in the event of cancellation. The Company's contracts covering the sale of its products include warranty provisions that provide assurance to its customers that the products will comply with agreed-upon specifications. The Company negotiates the terms regarding warranty coverage and length of warranty depending on the products and applications. The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by product line, product type, and geography as this best depicts how its revenue is affected by economic factors as shown below: Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues by Product Line: Papermaking Systems: Stock-Preparation $ 45,483 $ 41,153 Doctoring, Cleaning, & Filtration 27,222 25,350 Fluid-Handling 32,886 22,047 Papermaking Systems $ 105,591 $ 88,550 Wood Processing Systems 39,141 9,943 Fiber-based Products 4,461 4,364 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 Revenue by Product Type: Parts and Consumables $ 95,985 $ 70,444 Capital 53,208 32,413 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 Revenue by Geography: North America $ 77,616 $ 50,166 Europe 41,493 32,751 Asia 20,148 11,898 Rest of World 9,936 8,042 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 The following table presents revenue by revenue recognition method: Three Months Ended March 31, (In thousands) 2018 Timing of Revenue Recognition: Point in Time $ 142,005 Over Time 7,188 $ 149,193 The following tables present the balances from contracts with customers and the significant changes in contract asset and contract liabilities: March 31, December 30, (In thousands) Balances from Contracts with Customers: Accounts receivable, net $ 91,529 $ 89,624 Contract assets 2,375 2,374 Contract liabilities (47,759 ) (38,702 ) Contract Assets Contract Liabilities (In thousands) Balance at December 30, 2017 $ 2,374 $ (38,702 ) Impact from the adoption of Topic 606 2,021 (3,932 ) Reclassification to accounts receivable, net (3,476 ) — Contract assets recognized 1,403 — Revenue recognized — 27,325 Cash received and not recognized as revenue — (31,503 ) Currency translation 53 (947 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 2,375 $ (47,759 ) Contract assets relate to unbilled revenue associated with revenue recognized on contracts accounted for on an over time basis. Unbilled amounts will be billed in future periods based on the contract terms. Contract liabilities consist of customer deposits, advanced billings and deferred revenue included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Contract liabilities will be recognized as revenue in future periods once the revenue recognition criteria are met. The majority of the contract liabilities relate to advanced payments on contracts accounted for at a point in time. These advance payments will be recognized as revenue when the Company's performance obligations have been satisfied, which typically occurs when the product has been delivered and control of the asset has transferred to the customer. Customers in China will often settle their accounts receivable with a banker's acceptance draft, in which case cash settlement will be delayed until the banker's acceptance draft matures or is settled prior to maturity. For customers outside of China, final payment for the majority of the Company's products is received in the quarter following the product shipment. Certain of the Company's contracts include a longer period before final payment is due, which is typically within one year of final shipment or transfer of control to the customer. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Section A-Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The Company adopted this ASU using the modified retrospective transition approach effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The guidance applies to all new contracts initiated in fiscal 2018. For existing contracts that have remaining obligations as of the beginning of fiscal 2018, any difference between the recognition criteria in this ASU and the Company's previous revenue recognition practices under Topic 605 was recognized using a cumulative-effect adjustment that increased retained earnings by $119,000 . The increase in retained earnings primarily related to contracts, which meet the over time criteria under the new revenue standard and, as a result, the portion of the contract completed as of the beginning of fiscal 2018 was recognized immediately in retained earnings. Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction of retained earnings associated with certain contracts which were previously accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, but do not meet the requirements for over time recognition under Topic 606. Amounts previously recognized in fiscal 2017 based on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting were deferred at the beginning of fiscal 2018 and will be recognized along with the remaining revenue and costs in fiscal 2018 when control of the asset has been transferred to the customer. The Company has implemented certain modifications to its existing internal controls to support the recognition criteria and disclosure requirement of this ASU. See Revenue Recognition in this footnote for further disclosures required by this ASU. Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, which simplifies the diversity in practice related to the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018 with no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018 on a modified retrospective basis, which resulted in an immaterial adjustment to retained earnings. The impact of the adoption of this standard to future periods will be dependent on future asset transfers, which generally occur in connection with acquisitions and other business structuring activities. Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, which requires inclusion of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents within cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018. Prior period amounts related to the Company's cash flows from financing activities, exchange rate effect on cash, and cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were restated as required by this ASU, which did not have a material effect on the Company's statement of cash flows. See Restricted Cash in this footnote for further disclosures required by this ASU. Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The Company adopted this ASU on a prospective basis at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this ASU will impact how the Company assesses acquisitions and disposals of businesses in the future. Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, which requires employers to include only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in costs and operating expenses in the same income statement line item as the related employees' compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are to be included in non-operating expenses. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018 and prior period amounts were reclassified with no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated net income. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $204,000 from operating income to other expense, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended April 1, 2017. Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, which provides clarity on which changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards require entities to apply the modification accounting provisions required in Topic 718. The Company adopted this ASU on a prospective basis at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes (Topic 740), Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, an amendment to the December 2017 SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which allowed SEC registrants to record provisional amounts in earnings due to the complexities involved in accounting for the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. While the Company’s accounting for certain tax effects is incomplete, it has determined reasonable estimates for those effects and has recorded provisional amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Leases (Topic 842) . In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, which requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for operating leases, initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments, in its balance sheet. This ASU also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. This new guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. The Company is assessing the practical expedients allowed under this new guidance as well as reviewing the impact on its systems, processes and controls to account for its leases. The Company has not completed its evaluation but believes this standard will have a significant impact on its balance sheet but is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. As of the end of fiscal 2017, the Company had approximately $8.1 million of future lease payments due after fiscal 2018. The actual impact of this new standard will depend on the total amount of the Company’s lease commitments as of the adoption date. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which significantly changes the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over their remaining lives. This new guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2020 with early adoption permitted beginning in fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements in Accounting for Hedging Activity. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, which provides improvements to current hedge accounting to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities and to simplify the application of current hedge accounting guidance. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for the Company in fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe that adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive items (AOCI) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The reclassification is elective and would allow the income tax effects on items that were originally recorded in AOCI be reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings. This ASU is effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019 and interim periods therein and should be applied either at the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are recognized. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Restructuring Costs

Restructuring Costs	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring Costs	Restructuring Costs In 2017, the Company constructed a 160,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the United States that will integrate its U.S. and Swedish Papermaking stock-preparation product lines into a single manufacturing facility to achieve economies of scale and greater efficiencies. As a result of the consolidation and integration of these facilities, the Company developed a restructuring plan totaling approximately $1,900,000 , primarily related to costs for the relocation of machinery and equipment and administrative offices, severance, and abandonment of leased facilities in the Papermaking Systems segment. As a result of this plan, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $203,000 in 2017 associated with severance costs for the reduction of four employees in the United States and six employees in Sweden. In the first three months of 2018, the Company recorded additional restructuring costs of $770,000 related to this plan, including $563,000 for the relocation of machinery and equipment and administrative offices, and $210,000 associated with employee retention costs and abandonment of excess facility and other closure costs. The Company expects to record additional restructuring charges of approximately $900,000 , including $750,000 for the relocation of machinery and equipment and $150,000 of other costs, in 2018 when certain specified criteria are met. A summary of the changes in accrued restructuring costs included in other accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows: (In thousands) Severance Relocation Other (a) Total Balance at December 30, 2017 $ 203 $ — $ — $ 203 Provision (reversal) (3 ) 563 210 770 Usage — (358 ) (120 ) (478 ) Currency translation (1 ) — — (1 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 199 $ 205 $ 90 $ 494 (a) Includes employee retention costs that are accrued ratably over the period through which employees must work to qualify for a payment and facility closure and clean-up costs associated with the U.S. stock-preparation operations. The Company expects to complete this restructuring plan and pay all accrued restructuring costs in 2018.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) are calculated as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts Attributable to Kadant: Net Income $ 10,858 $ 8,951 Basic Weighted Average Shares 11,042 10,952 Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares 300 253 Diluted Weighted Average Shares 11,342 11,205 Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.98 $ 0.82 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.96 $ 0.80 Restricted stock units (RSUs) totaling 30,000 shares in the first three months of 2018 and 39,000 shares in the first three months of 2017 of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted EPS, as the effect would have been antidilutive or, for unvested performance-based RSUs, the performance conditions had not been met as of the end of the reporting periods.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes	Provision for Income Taxes The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (2017 Tax Act) was signed into law on December 22, 2017 and its provisions are generally effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2018. The most significant impacts of the 2017 Tax Act to the Company include a decrease in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and a one-time mandatory transition tax on deemed repatriation of previously tax-deferred and unremitted foreign earnings. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 to provide guidance on accounting for the 2017 Tax Act’s impact. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company recognized the provisional tax impacts related to the re-measurement of its deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the one-time mandatory transition tax on deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings in the three months ended December 30, 2017. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded an additional provisional net income tax expense of $ 787,000 , including the impact of state taxes, for the one-time mandatory transition tax, primarily due to a 2018 tax law change associated with the 2017 Tax Act that impacted the provisional amount initially recorded. Additional work is still necessary to finalize the provisional tax impacts of the 2017 Tax Act, including the completion of a more detailed analysis of the Company’s historical foreign earnings and the understanding and application of anticipated additional regulatory guidance regarding the provisions of the 2017 Tax Act that may be issued by the Internal Revenue Service and state and local jurisdictions. Any subsequent adjustment to the provisional amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in the quarter of 2018 in which the analysis is complete. The provision for income taxes was $ 3,861,000 in the first three months of 2018 and $ 2,735,000 in the first three months of 2017. The effective tax rate of 26% in the first three months of 2018 was higher than the Company's 2018 statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to a true-up to the federal provisional net income tax expense initially recorded in 2017 for the 2017 Tax Act, the U.S. tax cost of foreign operations, including the global intangible low-taxed income provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, and the distribution of the Company's worldwide earnings. This incremental tax expense was offset in part by a decrease in tax related to the net excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements, the release of tax reserves, and a favorable impact to state taxes primarily related to the true-up to the provisional net income tax expense initially recorded in 2017 for the 2017 Tax Act. The effective tax rate of 23% in the first three months of 2017 was lower than the Company's 2017 statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to the distribution of the Company's worldwide earnings and the net excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements, offset in part by an increase in tax related to non-deductible expenses.

Long-Term Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Obligations	Long-Term Obligations Long-term obligations are as follows: March 31, December 30, (In thousands) Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 $ 235,851 $ 237,011 Obligations Under Capital Lease, due 2018 to 2022 4,689 4,633 Other Borrowings, due 2018 to 2023 396 436 Total 240,936 242,080 Less: Current Maturities of Long-Term Obligations (710 ) (696 ) Long-Term Obligations $ 240,226 $ 241,384 See Note 10 for the fair value information related to the Company's long-term obligations. Revolving Credit Facility In 2017, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended (the 2017 Credit Agreement), which is a five -year unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 . The 2017 Credit Agreement also includes an uncommitted unsecured incremental borrowing facility of up to an additional $100,000,000 . The principal on any borrowings is due on March 1, 2022. Borrowing may be denominated in U.S. dollars or certain foreign currencies as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement. Interest on any loans outstanding accrues and generally is payable quarterly in arrears at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (i) the Base Rate, calculated as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% , (b) the prime rate as published by Citizens Bank, and (c) the thirty-day London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) rate, as defined, plus 0.50% ; or (ii) the LIBOR rate (with a zero percent floor), 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, net of certain cash, as defined, to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), as defined in the 2017 Credit Agreement. For this purpose, total debt net of certain cash is defined as total debt less the sum of (i) unrestricted U.S. cash, and (ii) 65% of unrestricted cash outside of the United States, but no more than an aggregate amount of $30,000,000 . The obligations of the Company under the 2017 Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default under the 2017 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 2017 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, 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 a discontinued operation. As of March 31, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Loans under the 2017 Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guarantee Agreement. In addition, one of the Company's foreign subsidiaries entered into a guarantee agreement limited to certain obligations of two foreign subsidiary borrowers. As of March 31, 2018 , the outstanding balance under the 2017 Credit Agreement was $235,851,000 , including $56,796,000 of Canadian dollar-denominated borrowings and $50,055,000 of euro-denominated borrowings. As of March 31, 2018 , the Company had $63,737,000 of borrowing capacity available under its 2017 Credit Agreement, which was calculated by translating its foreign-denominated borrowings using borrowing date foreign exchange rates. The weighted average interest rate for the revolving credit facility was 2.86% as of March 31, 2018 . Obligations Under Capital Lease The Company's obligations under capital leases include a sale-leaseback financing arrangement for a manufacturing facility in Germany. Under this arrangement, the quarterly lease payment includes principal, interest, and a payment to the landlord toward a loan receivable. The interest rate on the outstanding obligation is 1.79% . The loan receivable, which is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, was $458,000 at March 31, 2018 . The lease arrangement provides for a fixed price purchase option, net of the projected loan receivable, of $1,639,000 at the end of the lease term in 2022 . If the Company does not exercise the purchase option for the facility, the Company will receive cash from the landlord to settle the loan receivable. As of March 31, 2018 , $4,596,000 was outstanding under this capital lease obligation and $93,000 was outstanding under other capital lease obligations.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,464,000 in the first three months of 2018 and $1,295,000 in the first three months of 2017 within selling, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income. The Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based awards granted to employees and directors based on the grant date estimate of fair value for those awards. The fair value of RSUs is based on the grant date trading price of the Company's common stock, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends foregone during the requisite service period. For time-based RSUs, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the entire award based on the grant date fair value, and net of actual forfeitures recorded when they occur. For performance-based RSUs, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for each separately-vesting portion of the award based on the grant date fair value, net of actual forfeitures recorded when they occur and remeasured each reporting period until the total number of RSUs to be issued is known. Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based compensation totaled approximately $8,987,000 at March 31, 2018 , and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.0 years. On March 7, 2018, the Company granted to certain of its officers performance-based RSUs, which represented, in aggregate, the right to receive 28,637 shares (the target RSU amount), subject to adjustment, with an aggregate grant date fair value of $ 2,794,000 . The RSUs are subject to adjustment based on the achievement of the performance measure selected for the 2018 fiscal year, which is a specified target for adjusted EBITDA generated from operations for the 2018 fiscal year. The RSUs are adjusted by comparing the actual adjusted EBITDA for the performance period to the target adjusted EBITDA. Actual adjusted EBITDA between 50% and 100% of the target adjusted EBITDA results in an adjustment of 50% to 100% of the RSU amount. Actual adjusted EBITDA between 100% and 115% of the target adjusted EBITDA results in an adjustment using a straight-line linear scale between 100% and 150% of the RSU amount. Actual adjusted EBITDA in excess of 115 % results in an adjustment capped at 150 % of the RSU amount. If actual adjusted EBITDA is below 50% of the target adjusted EBITDA for the 2018 fiscal year, these performance-based RSUs will be forfeited. In the first three months of 2018, the Company recognized compensation expense based on the probable number of performance-based RSUs expected to vest, which was 100% of the target RSU amount. Following the adjustment, the performance-based RSUs will be subject to additional time-based vesting, and will vest in three equal annual installments on March 10 of 2019, 2020, and 2021, provided that the officer is employed by the Company on the applicable vesting dates. On March 7, 2018, the Company also granted time-based RSUs representing 28,086 shares to its officers and employees with an aggregate grant date fair value of $ 2,741,000 . These time-based RSUs generally vest in three equal annual installments on March 10 of 2019, 2020, and 2021, provided the employee remains employed by the Company on the applicable vesting dates.

Retirement Benefit Plans

Retirement Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Retirement Benefit Plans	Retirement Benefit Plans Effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018, the Company retrospectively adopted ASU No. 2017-07. See Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 for further discussion. As a result, only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is included in operating income. All other components are included in other expense, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income. The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows: Three Months Ended Three Months Ended (In thousands, except percentages) U.S. Pension Non-U.S. Pension Other Post-Retirement U.S. Pension Non-U.S. Pension Other Post-Retirement Service Cost $ 175 $ 36 $ 53 $ 196 $ 32 $ 35 Interest Cost 298 30 43 314 24 39 Expected Return on Plan Assets (322 ) (11 ) (1 ) (335 ) (8 ) — Recognized Net Actuarial Loss 135 16 34 113 9 13 Amortization of Prior Service Cost — 2 22 13 1 21 $ 286 $ 73 $ 151 $ 301 $ 58 $ 108 The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows: Discount Rate 3.51 % 3.80 % 3.65 % 4.03 % 3.39 % 4.13 % Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets 4.50 % 7.43 % 7.43 % 5.00 % 7.72 % 7.72 % Rate of Compensation Increase 3.00 % 3.69 % 3.07 % 3.00 % 3.40 % 3.08 % The Company does not plan to make any material cash contributions to its pension and post-retirement benefit plans other than to fund current benefit payments in 2018.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items	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. Changes in each component of AOCI, net of tax, are as follows: (In thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrecognized Prior Service Cost on Pension and Other Post- Retirement Benefit Plans Net Actuarial Loss on Pension and Other Post- Retirement Benefit Plans Deferred Gain on Cash Flow Hedges Total Balance at December 30, 2017 $ (17,501 ) $ (319 ) $ (8,974 ) $ 79 $ (26,715 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 5,293 (1 ) (39 ) 89 5,342 Reclassifications from AOCI — 18 139 4 161 Net current period other comprehensive income 5,293 17 100 93 5,503 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (12,208 ) $ (302 ) $ (8,874 ) $ 172 $ (21,212 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI are as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, April 1, Statement of Income Line Item Pension and Other Post-Retirement Plans: (a) Amortization of actuarial loss $ (185 ) $ (135 ) Other expense, net Amortization of prior service cost (24 ) (35 ) Other expense, net Total expense before income taxes (209 ) (170 ) Income tax benefit 52 59 Provision for income taxes (157 ) (111 ) Cash Flow Hedges: (b) Interest rate swap agreement (5 ) (12 ) Interest expense Forward currency-exchange contracts — (11 ) Cost of revenues Total expense before income taxes (5 ) (23 ) Income tax benefit 1 8 Provision for income taxes (4 ) (15 ) Total Reclassifications $ (161 ) $ (126 ) (a) Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 7 for additional information. (b) See Note 9 for additional information.

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	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. Accounting Standards Codification (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 AOCI. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in the statement of income 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 accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income. Interest Rate Swap Agreement In January 2015 , the Company entered into a swap agreement (2015 Swap Agreement) to hedge its exposure to movements in the three-month LIBOR rate on future outstanding debt and has designated the 2015 Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge. The 2015 Swap Agreement expires on March 27, 2020 and has a $10,000,000 notional value. Under the 2015 Swap Agreement, on a quarterly basis, the Company receives a three-month LIBOR rate and pays a fixed rate of interest of 1.50% plus an applicable margin. The fair value of the 2015 Swap Agreement is included in other assets, with an offset to AOCI, net of tax, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company has structured the 2015 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 2015 Swap Agreement is remote based on the Company's financial position and the creditworthiness of the financial institution that issued the 2015 Swap Agreement. The counterparty to the 2015 Swap Agreement could demand an early termination of the 2015 Swap Agreement if the Company were to be in default under the 2017 Credit Agreement, or any agreement that amends or replaces the 2017 Credit Agreement in which the counterparty is a member, and if the Company were to be unable to cure the default. An event of default under the 2017 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, 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 a discontinued operation. As of March 31, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with these covenants. The unrealized gain associated with the 2015 Swap Agreement was $204,000 as of March 31, 2018 , which represents the estimated amount that the Company would receive from 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 anticipated currency exposures over the ensuing 12 -month period, using forward currency-exchange contracts that have maturities of twelve months or less. Forward currency-exchange contracts that hedge forecasted accounts receivable or accounts payable are designated as cash flow hedges. The fair value for these instruments is included in other current assets for unrecognized gains and in other current liabilities for unrecognized losses, with an offset in AOCI, 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 value of forward currency-exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges is recorded currently in earnings with gains reported in other current assets and losses reported in other current liabilities. The Company recognized within SG&A expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income gains of $ 13,000 in the first three months of 2018 and $ 471,000 in the first three months of 2017 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 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet: March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 Balance Sheet Location Asset (Liability) (a) Notional Amount (b) Asset (Liability) (a) Notional Amount (In thousands) Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: Derivatives in an Asset Position: Interest rate swap agreement Other Long-Term Assets $ 204 $ 10,000 $ 126 $ 10,000 Forward currency-exchange contract Other Current Assets $ 24 $ 1,002 $ — $ — Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments: Derivatives in an Asset Position: Forward currency-exchange contracts Other Current Assets $ — $ — $ 17 $ 1,244 Derivatives in a Liability Position: Forward currency-exchange contracts Other Current Liabilities $ (1 ) $ 2,366 $ (16 ) $ 2,049 (a) See Note 10 for the fair value measurements relating to these financial instruments. (b) The total notional amount is indicative of the level of the Company's derivative activity during the first three months of 2018 . The following table summarizes the activity in AOCI associated with the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 : (In thousands) Interest Rate Swap Agreement Forward Currency- Exchange Contract Total Unrealized Gain, Net of Tax, at December 30, 2017 $ 79 $ — $ 79 Loss reclassified to earnings (a) 4 — 4 Gain recognized in AOCI 71 18 89 Unrealized Gain, Net of Tax, at March 31, 2018 $ 154 $ 18 $ 172 (a) See Note 8 for the income statement classification. As of March 31, 2018 , the Company expects to reclassify $ 85,000 of the net unrealized gain included in AOCI to earnings over the next twelve months as a result of forward contract maturities and the interest rate swap's estimated cash flows.

Fair Value Measurements and Fai

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments 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 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: (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total March 31, 2018 Assets: Money market funds and time deposits $ 19,745 $ — $ — $ 19,745 Forward currency-exchange contract $ — $ 24 $ — $ 24 Interest rate swap agreement $ — $ 204 $ — $ 204 Banker's acceptance drafts (a) $ — $ 12,021 $ — $ 12,021 Liabilities: Forward currency-exchange contracts $ — $ 1 $ — $ 1 December 30, 2017 Assets: Money market funds and time deposits $ 17,728 $ — $ — $ 17,728 Forward currency-exchange contracts $ — $ 17 $ — $ 17 Interest rate swap agreement $ — $ 126 $ — $ 126 Banker's acceptance drafts (a) $ — $ 15,960 $ — $ 15,960 Liabilities: Forward currency-exchange contracts $ — $ 16 $ — $ 16 (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 three months of 2018 . The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are cash equivalents, banker's acceptance drafts, derivative instruments used to hedge the Company's foreign currency and interest rate risks, variable rate debt, and capital lease obligations. The Company's cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds and bank deposits which are highly liquid and readily tradable. These cash equivalents are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities. The carrying value of banker's acceptance drafts approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of the negotiable instrument. The fair values of the Company's forward currency-exchange contracts are based on quoted forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreement is based on LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date. The forward currency-exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreement 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: March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value (In thousands) Long-term Debt Obligations: Revolving credit facility $ 235,851 $ 235,851 $ 237,011 $ 237,011 Capital lease obligations 4,141 4,141 4,101 4,101 Other borrowings 234 234 272 272 $ 240,226 $ 240,226 $ 241,384 $ 241,384 The carrying value of the Company's revolving credit facility approximates the fair value as the obligation bears variable rates of interest, which adjust quarterly based on prevailing market rates. The carrying values of the Company's capital lease obligations and other borrowings approximate fair value as the stipulated interest rates are comparable to prevailing market rates for those obligations.

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information The Company has combined its operating entities into two reportable operating segments, Papermaking Systems and Wood Processing Systems, and a separate product line, Fiber-based Products. In classifying operational entities into a particular segment, the Company has aggregated businesses with similar economic characteristics, products and services, production processes, customers, and methods of distribution. The following table presents financial information for the Company's reportable operating segments: Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues: Papermaking Systems (a) $ 105,591 $ 88,550 Wood Processing Systems (b) 39,141 9,943 Fiber-based Products 4,461 4,364 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 Income Before Provision for Income Taxes: Papermaking Systems (c) $ 14,584 $ 14,299 Wood Processing Systems (d) 7,363 2,504 Corporate and Fiber-based Products (e) (5,283 ) (4,553 ) Total operating income 16,664 12,250 Interest expense, net (f) (1,549 ) (244 ) Other expense, net (246 ) (204 ) $ 14,869 $ 11,802 Capital Expenditures: Papermaking Systems $ 4,649 $ 1,484 Wood Processing Systems 376 186 Other 126 52 $ 5,151 $ 1,722 (a) Includes $ 5,900,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 from 2017 acquisitions. (b) Includes $ 28,870,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 from a 2017 acquisition. (c) Includes restructuring costs of $ 770,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 (see Note 2 ). (d) Includes acquisition-related expenses of $ 252,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 for the amortization of acquired backlog and $ 319,000 in the three -month period ended April 1, 2017 for acquisition transaction costs. (e) Corporate primarily includes general and administrative expenses. (f) The Company does not allocate interest expense, net to its segments.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Right of Recourse In the ordinary course of business, the Company's subsidiaries in China may receive banker's acceptance drafts from customers as payment for their trade accounts receivable. The banker's acceptance drafts are noninterest-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 dates. The Company had $9,890,000 at March 31, 2018 and $10,035,000 at December 30, 2017 of banker's acceptance drafts subject to recourse, which were transferred to vendors and had not reached their scheduled maturity dates. Historically, the banker's acceptance drafts have settled upon maturity without any claim of recourse against the Company. Litigation 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, but is not limited to, claims and counterclaims by and against the Company for breach of contract or warranty, canceled contracts, product liability, or bankruptcy-related claims. 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.

Nature of Operations and Summ21

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Critical Accounting Policies	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. 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, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, inventories, and pension obligations. 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 30, 2017 , and in Revenue Recognition and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), in this footnote.
Use of Estimates	Although the Company makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements or in the application of accounting policies, if business conditions were different, or if the Company were to use different estimates and assumptions, it is possible that materially different amounts could be reported in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
Restricted Cash	The Company's restricted cash serves as collateral for bank guarantees primarily associated with providing assurance to customers that the Company will fulfill certain customer obligations entered into in the normal course of business. The majority of the bank guarantees will expire by the end of 2018.
Banker's Acceptance Drafts Included in Accounts Receivable	Banker's Acceptance Drafts included in Accounts Receivable 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 noninterest bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company's subsidiaries may 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 $12,021,000 at March 31, 2018 and $15,960,000 at December 30, 2017 , are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet until the subsidiary sells the drafts to a bank and receives a discounted amount, transfers the banker's acceptance drafts in settlement of current accounts payable prior to maturity, or obtains cash payment on the scheduled maturity date.
Revenue Recognition	Approximately 95% of the Company’s revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was recognized at a point in time for each performance obligation under the contract when the customer obtains control of the goods or service. The majority of the Company’s parts and consumables products and capital products with minimal customization are accounted for at a point in time. The Company has made a policy election to not treat the obligation to ship as a separate performance obligation under the contract and, as a result, the associated shipping costs are accrued when revenue is recognized. The remaining 5% of the Company’s revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was recognized on an over time basis based on an input method that compares the costs incurred to date to the total expected costs required to satisfy the performance obligation. Contracts are accounted for on an over time basis when they include products which have no alternative use and an enforceable right to payment over time. The majority of the contracts recognized on an over time basis are for large capital projects within the Company's Stock-Preparation product line and, to a lesser extent, its Fluid-Handling and Doctoring, Cleaning, and Filtration product lines. These projects are highly customized for the customer and as a result would include a significant cost to rework in the event of cancellation. The Company's contracts covering the sale of its products include warranty provisions that provide assurance to its customers that the products will comply with agreed-upon specifications. The Company negotiates the terms regarding warranty coverage and length of warranty depending on the products and applications.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Section A-Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The Company adopted this ASU using the modified retrospective transition approach effective at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The guidance applies to all new contracts initiated in fiscal 2018. For existing contracts that have remaining obligations as of the beginning of fiscal 2018, any difference between the recognition criteria in this ASU and the Company's previous revenue recognition practices under Topic 605 was recognized using a cumulative-effect adjustment that increased retained earnings by $119,000 . The increase in retained earnings primarily related to contracts, which meet the over time criteria under the new revenue standard and, as a result, the portion of the contract completed as of the beginning of fiscal 2018 was recognized immediately in retained earnings. Partially offsetting this increase was a reduction of retained earnings associated with certain contracts which were previously accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, but do not meet the requirements for over time recognition under Topic 606. Amounts previously recognized in fiscal 2017 based on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting were deferred at the beginning of fiscal 2018 and will be recognized along with the remaining revenue and costs in fiscal 2018 when control of the asset has been transferred to the customer. The Company has implemented certain modifications to its existing internal controls to support the recognition criteria and disclosure requirement of this ASU. See Revenue Recognition in this footnote for further disclosures required by this ASU. Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, which simplifies the diversity in practice related to the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018 with no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs and eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018 on a modified retrospective basis, which resulted in an immaterial adjustment to retained earnings. The impact of the adoption of this standard to future periods will be dependent on future asset transfers, which generally occur in connection with acquisitions and other business structuring activities. Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, which requires inclusion of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents within cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018. Prior period amounts related to the Company's cash flows from financing activities, exchange rate effect on cash, and cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were restated as required by this ASU, which did not have a material effect on the Company's statement of cash flows. See Restricted Cash in this footnote for further disclosures required by this ASU. Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, which clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The Company adopted this ASU on a prospective basis at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this ASU will impact how the Company assesses acquisitions and disposals of businesses in the future. Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, which requires employers to include only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost in costs and operating expenses in the same income statement line item as the related employees' compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are to be included in non-operating expenses. The Company adopted this ASU at the beginning of fiscal 2018 and prior period amounts were reclassified with no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated net income. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $204,000 from operating income to other expense, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended April 1, 2017. Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, which provides clarity on which changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards require entities to apply the modification accounting provisions required in Topic 718. The Company adopted this ASU on a prospective basis at the beginning of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes (Topic 740), Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, an amendment to the December 2017 SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which allowed SEC registrants to record provisional amounts in earnings due to the complexities involved in accounting for the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. While the Company’s accounting for certain tax effects is incomplete, it has determined reasonable estimates for those effects and has recorded provisional amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Leases (Topic 842) . In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, which requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for operating leases, initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments, in its balance sheet. This ASU also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. This new guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2019 using the modified retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. The Company is assessing the practical expedients allowed under this new guidance as well as reviewing the impact on its systems, processes and controls to account for its leases. The Company has not completed its evaluation but believes this standard will have a significant impact on its balance sheet but is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. As of the end of fiscal 2017, the Company had approximately $8.1 million of future lease payments due after fiscal 2018. The actual impact of this new standard will depend on the total amount of the Company’s lease commitments as of the adoption date. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which significantly changes the way entities recognize impairment of many financial assets by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over their remaining lives. This new guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2020 with early adoption permitted beginning in fiscal 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements in Accounting for Hedging Activity. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, which provides improvements to current hedge accounting to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities and to simplify the application of current hedge accounting guidance. This new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for the Company in fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe that adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive items (AOCI) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The reclassification is elective and would allow the income tax effects on items that were originally recorded in AOCI be reclassified from AOCI to retained earnings. This ASU is effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019 and interim periods therein and should be applied either at the beginning of the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 are recognized. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this ASU will have on its condensed 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. Accounting Standards Codification (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 AOCI. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in the statement of income 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 accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income.
Fair Value Measurement	The carrying value of the Company's revolving credit facility approximates the fair value as the obligation bears variable rates of interest, which adjust quarterly based on prevailing market rates. The carrying values of the Company's capital lease obligations and other borrowings approximate fair value as the stipulated interest rates are comparable to prevailing market rates for those obligations. 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 three months of 2018 . The Company's financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are cash equivalents, banker's acceptance drafts, derivative instruments used to hedge the Company's foreign currency and interest rate risks, variable rate debt, and capital lease obligations. The Company's cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds and bank deposits which are highly liquid and readily tradable. These cash equivalents are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities. The carrying value of banker's acceptance drafts approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of the negotiable instrument. The fair values of the Company's forward currency-exchange contracts are based on quoted forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreement is based on LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date. The forward currency-exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreement are hedges of either recorded assets or liabilities or anticipated transactions.

Nature of Operations and Summ22

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, April 1, Cash Paid for Interest $ 2,459 $ 388 Cash Paid for Income Taxes, Net of Refunds $ 8,455 $ 3,774 Non-Cash Investing Activities: Estimated post-closing adjustment (a) $ 400 $ — Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment $ 1,816 $ 125 Non-Cash Financing Activities: Issuance of Company common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units $ 2,755 $ 2,640 Dividends declared but unpaid $ 2,440 $ 2,310 (a) Represents an estimated post-closing purchase price adjustment related to the 2017 acquisition of certain assets of Unaflex, LLC, which is expected to be settled in 2018.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet that are shown in aggregate in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows: (In thousands) March 31, April 1, December 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 72,210 $ 71,540 $ 75,425 $ 71,487 Restricted cash 1,532 1,543 1,421 2,082 Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash $ 73,742 $ 73,083 $ 76,846 $ 73,569
Restricted Cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet that are shown in aggregate in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows: (In thousands) March 31, April 1, December 30, December 31, Cash and cash equivalents $ 72,210 $ 71,540 $ 75,425 $ 71,487 Restricted cash 1,532 1,543 1,421 2,082 Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash $ 73,742 $ 73,083 $ 76,846 $ 73,569
Inventories	The components of inventories are as follows: March 31, December 30, (In thousands) Raw Materials and Supplies $ 42,582 $ 38,952 Work in Process 22,395 18,203 Finished Goods 30,863 27,778 $ 95,840 $ 84,933
Acquired Intangible Assets	Acquired intangible assets by major asset class are as follows: (In thousands) Gross Currency Accumulated Net March 31, 2018 Definite-Lived Customer relationships $ 113,283 $ (419 ) $ (31,196 ) $ 81,668 Product technology 46,501 (584 ) (20,797 ) 25,120 Tradenames 5,227 (218 ) (1,628 ) 3,381 Other 13,744 (28 ) (11,178 ) 2,538 178,755 (1,249 ) (64,799 ) 112,707 Indefinite-Lived Tradenames 16,600 328 — 16,928 Acquired Intangible Assets $ 195,355 $ (921 ) $ (64,799 ) $ 129,635 December 30, 2017 Definite-Lived Customer relationships $ 113,301 $ (621 ) $ (28,789 ) $ 83,891 Product technology 46,501 (737 ) (19,841 ) 25,923 Tradenames 5,227 (262 ) (1,504 ) 3,461 Other 13,754 (35 ) (10,863 ) 2,856 178,783 (1,655 ) (60,997 ) 116,131 Indefinite-Lived Tradenames 16,600 305 — 16,905 Acquired Intangible Assets $ 195,383 $ (1,350 ) $ (60,997 ) $ 133,036
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment are as follows: (In thousands) Papermaking Systems Segment Wood Processing Systems Segment Total Balance at December 30, 2017 Gross balance $ 247,014 $ 106,496 $ 353,510 Accumulated impairment losses (85,509 ) — (85,509 ) Net balance 161,505 106,496 268,001 2018 Adjustments Acquisitions (a) (309 ) (75 ) (384 ) Currency translation 2,131 (234 ) 1,897 Total 2018 adjustments 1,822 (309 ) 1,513 Balance at March 31, 2018 Gross balance 248,836 106,187 355,023 Accumulated impairment losses (85,509 ) — (85,509 ) Net balance $ 163,327 $ 106,187 $ 269,514 (a) Relates to adjustments to the purchase price allocation, principally for inventory, for acquisitions completed in 2017. The purchase price allocation for the Company's 2017 acquisitions will be finalized by the second quarter of 2018 and any resulting adjustments are not expected to be material.
Warranty Obligations	The changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty costs included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, April 1, Balance at December 30, 2017 $ 5,498 $ 3,843 Provision charged to expense 715 804 Usage (364 ) (570 ) Currency translation 61 62 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 5,910 $ 4,139
Revenue by Product Line, Product Type, Geography, and Revenue Recognition Method	The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by product line, product type, and geography as this best depicts how its revenue is affected by economic factors as shown below: Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues by Product Line: Papermaking Systems: Stock-Preparation $ 45,483 $ 41,153 Doctoring, Cleaning, & Filtration 27,222 25,350 Fluid-Handling 32,886 22,047 Papermaking Systems $ 105,591 $ 88,550 Wood Processing Systems 39,141 9,943 Fiber-based Products 4,461 4,364 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 Revenue by Product Type: Parts and Consumables $ 95,985 $ 70,444 Capital 53,208 32,413 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 Revenue by Geography: North America $ 77,616 $ 50,166 Europe 41,493 32,751 Asia 20,148 11,898 Rest of World 9,936 8,042 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 The following table presents revenue by revenue recognition method: Three Months Ended March 31, (In thousands) 2018 Timing of Revenue Recognition: Point in Time $ 142,005 Over Time 7,188 $ 149,193
Balances from Contracts with Customers	The following tables present the balances from contracts with customers and the significant changes in contract asset and contract liabilities: March 31, December 30, (In thousands) Balances from Contracts with Customers: Accounts receivable, net $ 91,529 $ 89,624 Contract assets 2,375 2,374 Contract liabilities (47,759 ) (38,702 ) Contract Assets Contract Liabilities (In thousands) Balance at December 30, 2017 $ 2,374 $ (38,702 ) Impact from the adoption of Topic 606 2,021 (3,932 ) Reclassification to accounts receivable, net (3,476 ) — Contract assets recognized 1,403 — Revenue recognized — 27,325 Cash received and not recognized as revenue — (31,503 ) Currency translation 53 (947 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 2,375 $ (47,759 )

Restructuring Costs (Tables)

Restructuring Costs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	A summary of the changes in accrued restructuring costs included in other accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet are as follows: (In thousands) Severance Relocation Other (a) Total Balance at December 30, 2017 $ 203 $ — $ — $ 203 Provision (reversal) (3 ) 563 210 770 Usage — (358 ) (120 ) (478 ) Currency translation (1 ) — — (1 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 199 $ 205 $ 90 $ 494 (a) Includes employee retention costs that are accrued ratably over the period through which employees must work to qualify for a payment and facility closure and clean-up costs associated with the U.S. stock-preparation operations.

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) are calculated as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, (In thousands, except per share amounts) Amounts Attributable to Kadant: Net Income $ 10,858 $ 8,951 Basic Weighted Average Shares 11,042 10,952 Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares 300 253 Diluted Weighted Average Shares 11,342 11,205 Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.98 $ 0.82 Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.96 $ 0.80

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Obligations	Long-term obligations are as follows: March 31, December 30, (In thousands) Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022 $ 235,851 $ 237,011 Obligations Under Capital Lease, due 2018 to 2022 4,689 4,633 Other Borrowings, due 2018 to 2023 396 436 Total 240,936 242,080 Less: Current Maturities of Long-Term Obligations (710 ) (696 ) Long-Term Obligations $ 240,226 $ 241,384

Retirement Benefit Plans (Table

Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Assumptions Used	The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows: Three Months Ended Three Months Ended (In thousands, except percentages) U.S. Pension Non-U.S. Pension Other Post-Retirement U.S. Pension Non-U.S. Pension Other Post-Retirement Service Cost $ 175 $ 36 $ 53 $ 196 $ 32 $ 35 Interest Cost 298 30 43 314 24 39 Expected Return on Plan Assets (322 ) (11 ) (1 ) (335 ) (8 ) — Recognized Net Actuarial Loss 135 16 34 113 9 13 Amortization of Prior Service Cost — 2 22 13 1 21 $ 286 $ 73 $ 151 $ 301 $ 58 $ 108 The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows: Discount Rate 3.51 % 3.80 % 3.65 % 4.03 % 3.39 % 4.13 % Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets 4.50 % 7.43 % 7.43 % 5.00 % 7.72 % 7.72 % Rate of Compensation Increase 3.00 % 3.69 % 3.07 % 3.00 % 3.40 % 3.08 %

Accumulated Other Comprehensi27

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items	Changes in each component of AOCI, net of tax, are as follows: (In thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrecognized Prior Service Cost on Pension and Other Post- Retirement Benefit Plans Net Actuarial Loss on Pension and Other Post- Retirement Benefit Plans Deferred Gain on Cash Flow Hedges Total Balance at December 30, 2017 $ (17,501 ) $ (319 ) $ (8,974 ) $ 79 $ (26,715 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 5,293 (1 ) (39 ) 89 5,342 Reclassifications from AOCI — 18 139 4 161 Net current period other comprehensive income 5,293 17 100 93 5,503 Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (12,208 ) $ (302 ) $ (8,874 ) $ 172 $ (21,212 )
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items	Amounts reclassified from AOCI are as follows: Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, April 1, Statement of Income Line Item Pension and Other Post-Retirement Plans: (a) Amortization of actuarial loss $ (185 ) $ (135 ) Other expense, net Amortization of prior service cost (24 ) (35 ) Other expense, net Total expense before income taxes (209 ) (170 ) Income tax benefit 52 59 Provision for income taxes (157 ) (111 ) Cash Flow Hedges: (b) Interest rate swap agreement (5 ) (12 ) Interest expense Forward currency-exchange contracts — (11 ) Cost of revenues Total expense before income taxes (5 ) (23 ) Income tax benefit 1 8 Provision for income taxes (4 ) (15 ) Total Reclassifications $ (161 ) $ (126 ) (a) Included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 7 for additional information. (b) See Note 9 for additional information.

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet: March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 Balance Sheet Location Asset (Liability) (a) Notional Amount (b) Asset (Liability) (a) Notional Amount (In thousands) Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: Derivatives in an Asset Position: Interest rate swap agreement Other Long-Term Assets $ 204 $ 10,000 $ 126 $ 10,000 Forward currency-exchange contract Other Current Assets $ 24 $ 1,002 $ — $ — Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments: Derivatives in an Asset Position: Forward currency-exchange contracts Other Current Assets $ — $ — $ 17 $ 1,244 Derivatives in a Liability Position: Forward currency-exchange contracts Other Current Liabilities $ (1 ) $ 2,366 $ (16 ) $ 2,049 (a) See Note 10 for the fair value measurements relating to these financial instruments. (b) The total notional amount is indicative of the level of the Company's derivative activity during the first three months of 2018
Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items (OCI)	The following table summarizes the activity in AOCI associated with the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 : (In thousands) Interest Rate Swap Agreement Forward Currency- Exchange Contract Total Unrealized Gain, Net of Tax, at December 30, 2017 $ 79 $ — $ 79 Loss reclassified to earnings (a) 4 — 4 Gain recognized in AOCI 71 18 89 Unrealized Gain, Net of Tax, at March 31, 2018 $ 154 $ 18 $ 172 (a) See Note 8 for the income statement classification.

Fair Value Measurements and F29

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [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: (In thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total March 31, 2018 Assets: Money market funds and time deposits $ 19,745 $ — $ — $ 19,745 Forward currency-exchange contract $ — $ 24 $ — $ 24 Interest rate swap agreement $ — $ 204 $ — $ 204 Banker's acceptance drafts (a) $ — $ 12,021 $ — $ 12,021 Liabilities: Forward currency-exchange contracts $ — $ 1 $ — $ 1 December 30, 2017 Assets: Money market funds and time deposits $ 17,728 $ — $ — $ 17,728 Forward currency-exchange contracts $ — $ 17 $ — $ 17 Interest rate swap agreement $ — $ 126 $ — $ 126 Banker's acceptance drafts (a) $ — $ 15,960 $ — $ 15,960 Liabilities: Forward currency-exchange contracts $ — $ 16 $ — $ 16 (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: March 31, 2018 December 30, 2017 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value (In thousands) Long-term Debt Obligations: Revolving credit facility $ 235,851 $ 235,851 $ 237,011 $ 237,011 Capital lease obligations 4,141 4,141 4,101 4,101 Other borrowings 234 234 272 272 $ 240,226 $ 240,226 $ 241,384 $ 241,384

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Reporting Information	The following table presents financial information for the Company's reportable operating segments: Three Months Ended March 31, April 1, (In thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues: Papermaking Systems (a) $ 105,591 $ 88,550 Wood Processing Systems (b) 39,141 9,943 Fiber-based Products 4,461 4,364 $ 149,193 $ 102,857 Income Before Provision for Income Taxes: Papermaking Systems (c) $ 14,584 $ 14,299 Wood Processing Systems (d) 7,363 2,504 Corporate and Fiber-based Products (e) (5,283 ) (4,553 ) Total operating income 16,664 12,250 Interest expense, net (f) (1,549 ) (244 ) Other expense, net (246 ) (204 ) $ 14,869 $ 11,802 Capital Expenditures: Papermaking Systems $ 4,649 $ 1,484 Wood Processing Systems 376 186 Other 126 52 $ 5,151 $ 1,722 (a) Includes $ 5,900,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 from 2017 acquisitions. (b) Includes $ 28,870,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 from a 2017 acquisition. (c) Includes restructuring costs of $ 770,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 (see Note 2 ). (d) Includes acquisition-related expenses of $ 252,000 in the three -month period ended March 31, 2018 for the amortization of acquired backlog and $ 319,000 in the three -month period ended April 1, 2017 for acquisition transaction costs. (e) Corporate primarily includes general and administrative expenses. (f) The Company does not allocate interest expense, net to its segments.

Nature of Operations and Summ31

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)Segment	Apr. 01, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | Segment	2
Banker's acceptance drafts, maturity period	6 months
Banker's acceptance drafts	$ 12,021			$ 15,960
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative-effect adjustment to increase retained earnings	351,355			342,893
Reclassification from operating income	16,664	$ 12,250
Reclassification to other expense, net	$ 246	204
Future lease payments due after next fiscal year				$ 8,100
ASU No. 2014-09 [Member] | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative-effect adjustment to increase retained earnings			$ 119
ASU No. 2017-07 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reclassification from operating income		(204)
Reclassification to other expense, net		$ 204
Timing Of Transfer Of Good Or Service [Member] | Point in Time [Member] | Revenue from Contract with Customer [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	95.00%
Timing Of Transfer Of Good Or Service [Member] | Over Time [Member] | Revenue from Contract with Customer [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage	5.00%

Nature of Operations and Summ32

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash Paid for Interest	$ 2,459	$ 388
Cash Paid for Income Taxes, Net of Refunds	8,455	3,774
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Estimated post-closing adjustment	400	0
Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment	1,816	125
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
Issuance of Company common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units	2,755	2,640
Dividends declared but unpaid	$ 2,440	$ 2,310

Nature of Operations and Summ33

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,210	$ 75,425	$ 71,540	$ 71,487
Restricted cash	1,532	1,421	1,543	2,082
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	$ 73,742	$ 76,846	$ 73,083	$ 73,569

Nature of Operations and Summ34

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Raw Materials and Supplies	$ 42,582	$ 38,952
Work in Process	22,395	18,203
Finished Goods	30,863	27,778
Total Inventories	$ 95,840	$ 84,933

Nature of Operations and Summ35

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets By Major Asset Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Acquired Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 178,755	$ 178,783
Currency Translation	(1,249)	(1,655)
Accumulated Amortization	(64,799)	(60,997)
Net	112,707	116,131
Acquired Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Gross	195,355	195,383
Currency Translation	(921)	(1,350)
Net	129,635	133,036
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	16,600	16,600
Currency Translation	328	305
Net	16,928	16,905
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	113,283	113,301
Currency Translation	(419)	(621)
Accumulated Amortization	(31,196)	(28,789)
Net	81,668	83,891
Product Technology [Member]
Acquired Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	46,501	46,501
Currency Translation	(584)	(737)
Accumulated Amortization	(20,797)	(19,841)
Net	25,120	25,923
Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	5,227	5,227
Currency Translation	(218)	(262)
Accumulated Amortization	(1,628)	(1,504)
Net	3,381	3,461
Other Intangibles [Member]
Acquired Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	13,744	13,754
Currency Translation	(28)	(35)
Accumulated Amortization	(11,178)	(10,863)
Net	$ 2,538	$ 2,856

Nature of Operations and Summ36

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Balance, Beginning Balance	$ 353,510
Accumulated impairment losses	(85,509)
Net Balance, Beginning Balance	268,001
Acquisitions	(384)
Currency translation	1,897
Total 2018 adjustments	1,513
Gross Balance, Ending Balance	355,023
Accumulated impairment losses	(85,509)
Net Balance, Ending Balance	269,514
Operating Segment [Member] | Papermaking Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Balance, Beginning Balance	247,014
Accumulated impairment losses	(85,509)
Net Balance, Beginning Balance	161,505
Acquisitions	(309)
Currency translation	2,131
Total 2018 adjustments	1,822
Gross Balance, Ending Balance	248,836
Accumulated impairment losses	(85,509)
Net Balance, Ending Balance	163,327
Operating Segment [Member] | Wood Processing Systems [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Balance, Beginning Balance	106,496
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Net Balance, Beginning Balance	106,496
Acquisitions	(75)
Currency translation	(234)
Total 2018 adjustments	(309)
Gross Balance, Ending Balance	106,187
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Net Balance, Ending Balance	$ 106,187

Nature of Operations and Summ37

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Warranty Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Changes in the carrying amount of accrued warranty costs [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 30, 2017	$ 5,498	$ 3,843
Provision charged to expense	715	804
Usage	(364)	(570)
Currency translation	61	62
Balance at March 31, 2018	$ 5,910	$ 4,139

Nature of Operations and Summ38

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition by Product Line, Product Type and Revenue Recognition Method (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 149,193	$ 102,857
Point in Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	142,005
Over Time [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	7,188
North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	77,616	50,166
Europe [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	41,493	32,751
Asia [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	20,148	11,898
Rest of World [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	9,936	8,042
Fiber based Products [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4,461	4,364
Parts and Consumables [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	95,985	70,444
Capital [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	53,208	32,413
Papermaking Systems [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	105,591	88,550
Papermaking Systems [Member] | Stock preparation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	45,483	41,153
Papermaking Systems [Member] | Doctoring, Cleaning and Filtration [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	27,222	25,350
Papermaking Systems [Member] | Fluid handling [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	32,886	22,047
Wood Processing Systems Segment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 39,141	$ 9,943

Nature of Operations and Summ39

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue from Contract with Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 91,529	$ 89,624
Contract assets	2,375	2,374
Contract liabilities	$ (47,759)	$ (38,702)

Nature of Operations and Summ40

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Contract Assets and Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Contract Assets
Beginning balance	$ 2,374
Impact from the adoption of Topic 606	2,021
Reclassification to accounts receivable, net	(3,476)
Contract assets recognized	1,403
Currency translation	53
Ending balance	2,375
Change In Contract With Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(38,702)
Impact from the adoption of Topic 606	(3,932)
Revenue recognized	27,325
Cash received and not recognized as revenue	(31,503)
Currency translation	(947)
Ending balance	$ (47,759)

Restructuring Costs - Narrative

Restructuring Costs - Narrative (Details) ft² in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)ft²Employee
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	$ 770	$ 0
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	(3)
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	210
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Manufacturing facility square footage (in sqft) | ft²			160
Expected restructuring costs	1,900
Restructuring costs	770
Expected remaining restructuring costs	900
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs			$ 203
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | Relocation Of Machinery And Equipment And Administrative Offices [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	563
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | Employee Retention, Facility Closing, And Other Closure Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	210
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | Machinery And Equipment Relocation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected remaining restructuring costs	750
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected remaining restructuring costs	$ 150
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | United States [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated related to restructuring | Employee			4
Restructuring Plan 2017 [Member] | Sweden [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated related to restructuring | Employee			6

Restructuring Costs - Summary o

Restructuring Costs - Summary of Changes in Accrued Restructuring Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 203
Provision (reversal)	770	$ 0
Usage	(478)
Currency translation	(1)
Ending balance	494
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	203
Provision (reversal)	(3)
Usage	0
Currency translation	(1)
Ending balance	199
Employee Relocation [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	0
Provision (reversal)	563
Usage	(358)
Currency translation	0
Ending balance	205
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	0
Provision (reversal)	210
Usage	(120)
Currency translation	0
Ending balance	$ 90

Earnings per Share - Basic and

Earnings per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
Net Income	$ 10,858	$ 8,951
Basic Weighted Average Shares (in shares)	11,042	10,952
Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares (in shares)	300	253
Diluted Weighted Average Shares (in shares)	11,342	11,205
Basic Earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.98	$ 0.82
Diluted Earnings per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.96	$ 0.80

Earnings per Share - Narrative

Earnings per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Amount of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of EPS (in shares)	30	39

Provision for Income Taxes - Na

Provision for Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provisional net income tax expense	$ 787
Provision for income taxes	$ 3,861	$ 2,735
Effective tax rate	26.00%	23.00%
Statutory tax rate	21.00%		35.00%

Long-Term Obligations - Schedul

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Obligations Under Capital Lease, due 2018 to 2022	$ 4,689	$ 4,633
Total	240,936	242,080
Less: Current Maturities of Long-Term Obligations	(710)	(696)
Long-Term Obligations	240,226	241,384
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving Credit Facility, due 2022	235,851	237,011
Other Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Borrowings, due 2018 to 2023	$ 396	$ 436

Long-Term Obligations - Narrati

Long-Term Obligations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate for revolving credit facility (in hundredths)		2.86%
Loan receivable		$ 458,000
Capital lease obligations	$ 4,633,000	4,689,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance	$ 237,011,000	235,851,000
Remaining borrowing capacity		63,737,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Euro-Denominated Borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance		50,055,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Canadian Denominated Borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance		$ 56,796,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Sale Leaseback Arrangement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate		1.79%
Net purchase option		$ 1,639,000
Capital lease obligations		4,596,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Other Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations		$ 93,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | 2017 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of unsecured revolving credit facility	5 years
Borrowing capacity available under committed portion	$ 300,000,000
Additional borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Basis spread on variable rate floor (as a percentage)	0.00%
Percentage of foreign unrestricted cash	65.00%
Maximum unrestricted cash	$ 30,000,000
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio	3.5
Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio	3
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | 2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | 2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | Thirty-day LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | 2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | 2017 Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	2.00%

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 07, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 1,464,000	$ 1,295,000
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock awards		$ 8,987,000
Recognition period		2 years
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of units granted	28,637
Aggregate grant date fair value	$ 2,794,000
Actual adjusted EBITDA target threshold		50.00%
Percentage of target award expected to vest		100.00%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Actual EBITDA between 50% and 100% of Target Adjusted EBITDA [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of adjustment of award amount		50.00%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Actual EBITDA between 100% and 115% of Target Adjusted EBITDA [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of adjustment of award amount		100.00%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Actual EBITDA between 50% and 100% of Target Adjusted EBITDA [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of adjustment of award amount		100.00%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Actual EBITDA between 100% and 115% of Target Adjusted EBITDA [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of adjustment of award amount		150.00%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Actual EBITDA in Excess of 115% of Targeted Adjusted EBITDA [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of adjustment of award amount		150.00%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		33.33%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		33.33%
Executive Officer [Member] | Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		33.33%
Executive Officers And Employees [Member] | Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of units granted	28,086
Aggregate grant date fair value	$ 2,741,000
Executive Officers And Employees [Member] | Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		33.33%
Executive Officers And Employees [Member] | Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		33.33%
Executive Officers And Employees [Member] | Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage		33.33%

Retirement Benefit Plans - Comp

Retirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Expected contributions to noncontributory defined benefit plan for the remainder of the year	$ 0
Pension Benefits [Member] | U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service Cost	175	$ 196
Interest Cost	298	314
Expected Return on Plan Assets	(322)	(335)
Recognized Net Actuarial Loss	135	113
Amortization of Prior Service Cost	0	13
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 286	$ 301
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Discount Rate (as a percentage)	3.51%	4.03%
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets (as a percentage)	4.50%	5.00%
Rate of Compensation Increase (as a percentage)	3.00%	3.00%
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service Cost	$ 36	$ 32
Interest Cost	30	24
Expected Return on Plan Assets	(11)	(8)
Recognized Net Actuarial Loss	16	9
Amortization of Prior Service Cost	2	1
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 73	$ 58
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Discount Rate (as a percentage)	3.80%	3.39%
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets (as a percentage)	7.43%	7.72%
Rate of Compensation Increase (as a percentage)	3.69%	3.40%
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service Cost	$ 53	$ 35
Interest Cost	43	39
Expected Return on Plan Assets	(1)	0
Recognized Net Actuarial Loss	34	13
Amortization of Prior Service Cost	22	21
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$ 151	$ 108
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
Discount Rate (as a percentage)	3.65%	4.13%
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets (as a percentage)	7.43%	7.72%
Rate of Compensation Increase (as a percentage)	3.07%	3.08%

Accumulated Other Comprehensi50

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items - Components of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 332,504	$ 284,279
Ending balance	345,227	295,290
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(17,501)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	5,293
Reclassifications from AOCI	0
Net current period other comprehensive income	5,293
Ending balance	(12,208)
Unrecognized Prior Service Cost on Pension and Other Post- Retirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(319)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1)
Reclassifications from AOCI	18
Net current period other comprehensive income	17
Ending balance	(302)
Net Actuarial Loss on Pension and Other Post- Retirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(8,974)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(39)
Reclassifications from AOCI	139
Net current period other comprehensive income	100
Ending balance	(8,874)
Deferred Gain on Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	79
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	89
Reclassifications from AOCI	4
Net current period other comprehensive income	93
Ending balance	172
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(26,715)	(49,637)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	5,342
Reclassifications from AOCI	161
Net current period other comprehensive income	5,503
Ending balance	$ (21,212)	$ (44,542)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi51

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items - Reclassification Out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Other expense, net	$ (246)	$ (204)
Interest expense	(1,732)	(348)
Cost of revenues	(83,114)	(53,840)
Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Loss from Continuing Operations	(139)
Amortization of Prior Service Cost [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Loss from Continuing Operations	(18)
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Loss from Continuing Operations	(4)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Loss from Continuing Operations	(161)	(126)
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]
Total expense before income taxes	(209)	(170)
Provision for income taxes	52	59
Loss from Continuing Operations	(157)	(111)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Amortization of Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Other expense, net	(185)	(135)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Amortization of Prior Service Cost [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Other expense, net	(24)	(35)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items [Line Items]
Total expense before income taxes	(5)	(23)
Provision for income taxes	1	8
Loss from Continuing Operations	(4)	(15)
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]
Interest expense	(5)	(12)
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]
Cost of revenues	$ 0	$ (11)

Derivatives - Narrative (Detail

Derivatives - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2015USD ($)
Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Abstract]
Recognized gains (losses)	$ 13,000	$ 471,000
Interest Rate Swap Agreement [Member]
Interest Rate Swaps [Abstract]
Rate of effectiveness of interest rate swap agreement (in hundredths)	100.00%
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio	3.5
Minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio	3
Unrealized gain on derivatives	$ 204,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts [Abstract]
Maximum period over which entity manages its level of exposure of risk	12 months
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Swap Agreement 2015 [Member]
Interest Rate Swaps [Abstract]
Derivative, notional amount			$ 10,000,000
Fixed rate of interest (in hundredths)			1.50%

Derivatives - Fair Value of Der

Derivatives - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Agreement [Member] | Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Derivatives in an Asset Position:
Derivatives in an asset position	$ 204	$ 126
Notional amount, Derivative asset	10,000	10,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives in an Asset Position:
Derivatives in an asset position	24	0
Notional amount, Derivative asset	1,002	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives in an Asset Position:
Derivatives in an asset position	0	17
Notional amount, Derivative asset	0	1,244
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives in a Liability Position:
Derivatives in a liability position	(1)	(16)
Notional amount, Derivative liability	$ 2,366	$ 2,049

Derivatives - Activity in Accum

Derivatives - Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items (OCI) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 332,504
Ending balance	345,227
Net unrealized gain included in AOCI expected to be reclassified to earnings over the next 12 months	85
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	79
Loss reclassified to earnings	4
Gain recognized in AOCI	89
Ending balance	172
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Agreement [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	79
Loss reclassified to earnings	4
Gain recognized in AOCI	71
Ending balance	154
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Total Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Loss reclassified to earnings	0
Gain recognized in AOCI	18
Ending balance	$ 18

Fair Value Measurements and F55

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Assets:
Money market funds and time deposits	$ 19,745	$ 17,728
Forward currency-exchange contract	24	17
Interest rate swap agreement	204	126
Banker's acceptance drafts	12,021	15,960
Liabilities:
Forward currency-exchange contracts	1	16
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds and time deposits	19,745	17,728
Forward currency-exchange contract	0	0
Interest rate swap agreement	0	0
Banker's acceptance drafts	0	0
Liabilities:
Forward currency-exchange contracts	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds and time deposits	0	0
Forward currency-exchange contract	24	17
Interest rate swap agreement	204	126
Banker's acceptance drafts	12,021	15,960
Liabilities:
Forward currency-exchange contracts	1	16
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Money market funds and time deposits	0	0
Forward currency-exchange contract	0	0
Interest rate swap agreement	0	0
Banker's acceptance drafts	0	0
Liabilities:
Forward currency-exchange contracts	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements and F56

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Value and Fair Value of Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 235,851	$ 237,011
Capital lease obligations	4,141	4,101
Other borrowings	234	272
Debt obligations	240,226	241,384
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	235,851	237,011
Capital lease obligations	4,141	4,101
Other borrowings	234	272
Debt obligations	$ 240,226	$ 241,384

Business Segment Information -

Business Segment Information - Summary of Segment Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)Segment	Apr. 01, 2017USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | Segment	2
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 149,193,000	$ 102,857,000
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes:
Total operating income (loss)	16,664,000	12,250,000
Interest expense, net	(1,549,000)	(244,000)
Other expense, net	(246,000)	(204,000)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	14,869,000	11,802,000
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	5,151,000	1,722,000
Restructuring costs	770,000	0
Operating Segment [Member] | Papermaking Systems [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	105,591,000	88,550,000
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes:
Total operating income (loss)	14,584,000	14,299,000
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	4,649,000	1,484,000
Restructuring costs	770,000
Operating Segment [Member] | Papermaking Systems [Member] | 2017 Acquisitions [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	5,900,000
Operating Segment [Member] | Wood Processing Systems [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	39,141,000	9,943,000
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes:
Total operating income (loss)	7,363,000	2,504,000
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	376,000	186,000
Acquisition transaction costs	252,000	319,000
Operating Segment [Member] | Wood Processing Systems [Member] | 2017 Acquisitions [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	28,870,000
Corporate and Fiber-based Products [Member]
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes:
Total operating income (loss)	(5,283,000)	(4,553,000)
Capital Expenditures:
Capital expenditures	126,000	52,000
Corporate and Fiber-based Products [Member] | Fiber based Products [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 4,461,000	$ 4,364,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Banker's acceptance drafts, maturity period	6 months
Banker's acceptance drafts with recourse	$ 9,890	$ 10,035