Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 01, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 01, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 31,039	$ 27,671	$ 89,244	$ 95,521
Other Comprehensive Items:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(9,104)	(22,798)	(3,931)	(44,446)
Post-retirement liability adjustments, net (net of tax of $1, $8, $(2) and $21)	5	24	(3)	64
Deferred (loss) gain on cash flow hedges (net of tax of $(3), $27, $(35) and $141)	(9)	83	(107)	506
Other comprehensive items	(9,108)	(22,691)	(4,041)	(43,876)
Comprehensive Income	21,931	4,980	85,203	51,645
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(111)	(73)	(543)	(405)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 21,820	$ 4,907	$ 84,660	$ 51,240