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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 z59XkTDxjltKfE1bXpzFhg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001215755-03-000002.txt : 20031103
<SEC-HEADER>0001215755-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20031103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031103160751
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001215755-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031030
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031103

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000108215
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, NEC [3679]
		IRS NUMBER:				361982580
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE PKWY NORTH
		STREET 2:		STE 550
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8472369300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE PWKY NORTH
		STREET 2:		STE 550
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	WOODHEAD DANIEL CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710624

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GIES MICHAEL H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001215755

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-05971
		FILM NUMBER:		03973196

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE PARKWAY NORTH STE 550
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8472369300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THREE PARKWAY NORTH STE 550
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-10-30</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000108215</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WDHD</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001215755</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GIES MICHAEL H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3 PARKWAY NORTH, SUITE 550</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DEERFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60015</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Woodhead Industries, Inc. Common Stock, $1 Par Value</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>12212.8149</value><footnoteId id="F1"/><footnoteId id="F2"/></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right-To-Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>16.46</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-10-30</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFo
rmType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>16000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-10-30</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock, $1 Par Value</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>16000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>16000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote 
id="F1">Includes 212.8149 shares allocated to Mr. Gies' account in the Woodhead Industries, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plus (401K) Plan.</footnote><footnote id="F2">In connection with the Stockholder Rights Plan adopted by the Company on April 24, 1996, Preferred Stock Purchase Rights were distributed to stockholders and are deemed to be attached to the shares of Common Stock of the Company listed on this Form. If and when the rights become exercisable, the holders initially would be entitled to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $65.00 (both the number and shares and the purchase price are subject to adjustment).</footnote><footnote id="F3">The option vests in three equal annual installments beginning on October 30, 2004.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Robert J. Tortorello for Michael H. Gies by Power of Attorney previously filed.</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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