Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2022	Jan. 02, 2021	Dec. 28, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 84,881	$ 55,739	$ 52,564
Other Comprehensive Items:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(11,324)	18,395	(1,392)
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments, net (net of tax of $(1), $78, and $(137))	(22)	180	(282)
Effect of pension plan settlement (net of tax of $0, $0, and $(653))	0	(119)	3,826
Deferred gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (net of tax of $118, $(57), and $(143))	366	(184)	(447)
Other Comprehensive Items	(10,980)	18,272	1,705
Comprehensive Income	73,901	74,011	54,269
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(716)	(687)	(445)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 73,185	$ 73,324	$ 53,824