News Release

ACTON, Mass., Oct 7, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kadant Inc. (AMEX:KAI) announced that the composite decking and railing systems produced by its Kadant Composites Inc. subsidiary and marketed under the Geodeck(TM) brand have been evaluated by Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA). BOCA is a nonprofit service organization of more than 16,000 members ranging from code enforcement officials to materials manufacturers.

"Many architects, commercial builders, and local building inspectors review a BOCA evaluation report before they recommend or approve the use of building products," said William A. Rainville, chairman and chief executive officer of Kadant. "The evaluation of our Geodeck composite decking and railing systems should significantly increase the acceptance of these alternatives to traditional building materials."

Kadant Composites' Geodeck decking and railing systems are made from a proprietary combination of fiber-based granules recovered from the papermaking process, recycled plastic, and other materials. Geodeck has the look and feel of wood, but the durability and low maintenance of plastic. For more information, please visit www.geodeck.com. Kadant Composites also manufactures and sells composite roofing materials that look like terra cotta tiles or slate, but are lightweight, fire resistant, and cost less to install than traditional materials.

Kadant Inc. is a leading supplier of a range of products for the global papermaking and paper recycling industries, including de-inking systems, stock-preparation equipment, water-management systems, and papermaking accessories. The company also develops and manufactures composite building materials produced from natural fiber and recycled plastic. Kadant, based in Acton, Massachusetts, reported $221 million in revenues in 2001 and employs approximately 1,100 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.kadant.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 statements are set forth under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements" in the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002. These include risks and uncertainties relating to the company's: dependence on the paper industry, international operations, competition, ability to manufacture and distribute composite building products and the long-term performance of such products, acquisition strategy, dependence on patents and proprietary rights, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, and financial covenants and other obligations arising from the spinoff of the company from Thermo Electron Corporation. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CONTACT:
Kadant Inc.
Thomas M. O'Brien, 978/776-2000 (Investors)
or
GreatPoint Communications
978/392-6866 (Media)

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