SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                   -------------------------------------------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                                 Date of Report
                       (Date of earliest event reported):

                                  June 19, 2001
                    ----------------------------------------


                              THERMO FIBERTEK INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware                        1-11406                           52-1762325
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other                (Commission                   (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of                File Number)              Identification Number)
incorporation or
organization)


245 Winter Street
Waltham, Massachusetts                                                    02451
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)


                                 (781) 622-1000
                         (Registrant's telephone number
                              including area code)






     This Current Report on Form 8-K contains  forward-looking  statements  that
involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements  are set forth under the heading "Risk  Factors" in the  Registrant's
Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December 30, 2000. . Item

5. Other Events

     On June 19, 2001, the Registrant issued a press release, attached hereto as
Exhibit 99, regarding certain corporate transactions affecting the Registrant.

Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
          -------------------------------------------------------------------

          (a)  Financial Statements of Business Acquired: not applicable.

          (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information: not applicable.

          (c)  Exhibits:

               99   Press Release dated June 19, 2001.








                                    SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 19th day of June, 2001.



                                        THERMO FIBERTEK INC.


                                        By:   /s/ Kenneth J. Apicerno
                                              ------------------------------
                                              Kenneth J. Apicerno
                                              Treasurer





                                                                      Exhibit 99

                  Thermo Fibertek Announces Effective Date for
                       Name Change and Reverse Stock Split


WALTHAM, Mass., June 19, 2001 - Thermo Fibertek Inc. (ASE:TFT) announced that it
will officially change its name to Kadant Inc. on Thursday,  July 12, 2001, at 9
a.m. EDT. At that time,  Kadant will begin trading under the ticker symbol "KAI"
on the American Stock Exchange.

     At the same time, the company  expects to complete a  one-for-five  reverse
split of its common  stock.  Every five shares of common stock  outstanding  and
held by Thermo  Fibertek  shareholders  as of the close of  business on July 11,
2001,  will be converted  into one share of Kadant common stock at 9 a.m. EDT on
Thursday, July 12, 2001. Thermo Fibertek shareholders approved the filing of the
amendment  to effect the name  change and reverse  stock split at the  company's
annual meeting of shareholders held on May 15, 2001.

     "We are taking  these  actions  to  prepare  for our  spinoff  from  Thermo
Electron as a stand-alone  business," said William A.  Rainville,  president and
chief  executive  officer.  "Changing  our name to  Kadant  marks  the  start of
building a new  identity  as an  independent  company.  Although  you won't find
"kadant" in a dictionary,  to me it represents  our strength,  originality,  and
drive to move forward.  Our intent with the reverse stock split is to allow more
efficient  trading and permit a larger number of  institutions  to own or make a
market for our shares.  Together, these changes will help us meet our objectives
for maximizing future value to our customers, employees, and shareholders."

     Shortly after the effective  date of the reverse stock split,  shareholders
holding  certificates  for  their  shares  will be  contacted  by the  company's
transfer agent,  American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,  with  instructions on
exchanging  their  certificates  for new post-split  certificates.  Shareholders
should not submit their stock certificates to the transfer agent until they have
received these materials.

     The  spinoff  of Thermo  Fibertek  is part of a major  reorganization  plan
allowing  Thermo  Electron  to focus on its core  instruments  business.  Thermo
Electron expects to complete the distribution of Thermo  Fibertek/Kadant  shares
as a dividend to Thermo Electron shareholders during the third quarter of 2001.

     Thermo  Fibertek  Inc.  develops,  manufactures,  and  markets  a range  of
equipment and products for the domestic and international  papermaking and paper
recycling industries, including de-inking systems,  stock-preparation equipment,
water-management  systems,  and accessories.  Through its majority-owned  Thermo
Fibergen  subsidiary,  the company also  develops and  commercializes  composite
building  materials  produced  from natural fiber and recycled  plastic.  Thermo
Fibertek is a public subsidiary of Thermo Electron Corporation. More information
is available at www.thermofibertek.com.

The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities
Litigation  Reform Act of 1995:  This  press  release  contains  forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and  uncertainties.  Important factors
that could cause actual  results to differ  materially  from those  indicated by
such forward-looking statements are set forth under the heading "Forward-looking
Statements"  in Exhibit 13 to the  company's  annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 30, 2000. These include risks and uncertainties relating to:
the  company's  dependence  on the paper  industry  and pulp and  paper  prices,
international operations,  competition,  ability to enter the composites market,
dependence on patents and proprietary rights, acquisition strategy, fluctuations
in quarterly operating results, and the proposed spinoff of the company.

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