Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 57,024	$ 50,032
Restricted cash (Note 1)	162	168
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $2,695 and $2,689 (Note 1)	69,258	70,271
Inventories (Note 1)	61,962	62,805
Unbilled contract costs and fees	1,621	3,679
Other current assets	19,280	19,189
Assets of discontinued operation	137	144
Total Current Assets	209,444	206,288
Property, Plant, and Equipment, at Cost	118,290	117,997
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	74,024	73,112
Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost, Net	44,266	44,885
Other Assets	10,687	11,230
Intangible Assets, Gross	77,690	78,223
Less: accumulated amortization	31,998	30,373
Intangible Assets, Net	45,692	47,850
Goodwill	134,809	131,915
Total Assets	444,898	442,168
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term obligations (Note 6)	648	625
Accounts payable	26,172	28,388
Accrued payroll and employee benefits	17,956	19,116
Customer deposits	25,977	28,174
Other current liabilities	26,342	23,286
Liabilities of discontinued operation	213	213
Total Current Liabilities	97,308	99,802
Other Long-Term Liabilities	33,246	33,935
Long-Term Obligations (Note 6)	42,290	38,010
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)	0	0
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 14,624,159 shares issued	146	146
Capital in excess of par value	94,731	96,809
Retained earnings	251,547	248,170
Treasury stock at cost, 3,449,576 and 3,524,742 shares	(75,544)	(76,339)
Accumulated other comprehensive items (Note 9)	116	710
Total Kadant Stockholders' Equity	270,996	269,496
Noncontrolling interest	1,058	925
Total Stockholders' Equity	272,054	270,421
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 444,898	$ 442,168