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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 3, 2021

OR

☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to _________

Commission file number 001-11406

KADANT INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware									52-1762325
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)									(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Technology Park Drive

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(978) 776-2000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.01 par value

KAI

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐   No ☒

As of April 30, 2021, the registrant had 11,577,780 shares of common stock outstanding.

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Table of Contents

Kadant Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

for the Period Ended April 3, 2021

Table of Contents

						Page
PART I: Financial Information
Item 1.			Financial Statements
			Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021 (unaudited)			3
			Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three-month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (unaudited)			4
			Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three-month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (unaudited)			5
			Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (unaudited)			6
			Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the three-month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (unaudited)			7
			Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)			8
Item 2.			Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			19
Item 3.			Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			26
Item 4.			Controls and Procedures			26
PART II: Other Information
Item 1A.			Risk Factors			27
Item 6.			Exhibits			27

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Table of Contents

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 – Financial Statements

KADANT INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

						April 3, 2021						January 2, 2021
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents						$	65,982					$	65,682
Restricted cash						726						958
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,797 and $2,977						104,378						91,540
Inventories						112,590						106,814
Unbilled revenue						6,204						7,576
Other current assets						19,874						17,250
Total Current Assets						309,754						289,820
Property, Plant, and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $109,426 and $107,832						82,204						84,642
Other Assets						39,669						40,391
Intangible Assets, Net						155,534						160,965
Goodwill						348,504						351,753
Total Assets						$	935,665					$	927,571
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term obligations (Note 4)						$	1,417					$	1,474
Accounts payable						38,988						32,264
Accrued payroll and employee benefits						25,525						31,168
Customer deposits						37,434						29,433
Advanced billings						9,801						8,513
Other current liabilities						33,429						31,836
Total Current Liabilities						146,594						134,688
Long-Term Obligations (Note 4)						221,067						232,000
Other Long-Term Liabilities						63,696						63,978
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued						—						—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 14,624,159 shares issued						146						146
Capital in excess of par value						108,064						110,824
Retained earnings						493,067						479,400
Treasury stock at cost, 3,046,379 and 3,081,919 shares						(74,649)						(75,519)
Accumulated other comprehensive items (Note 6)						(24,040)						(19,492)
Total Kadant Stockholders' Equity						502,588						495,359
Noncontrolling interest						1,720						1,546
Total Stockholders' Equity						504,308						496,905
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity						$	935,665					$	927,571

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

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Table of Contents

KADANT INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

(Unaudited)

						Three Months Ended
						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue (Notes 1 and 9)						$	172,463					$	159,127
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenue						96,748						90,804
Selling, general, and administrative expenses						49,431						45,592
Research and development expenses						2,857						3,076
						149,036						139,472
Operating Income						23,427						19,655
Interest Income						65						51
Interest Expense						(1,111)						(2,459)
Other Expense, Net						(24)						(32)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes						22,357						17,215
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 3)						5,561						4,559
Net Income						16,796						12,656
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest						(235)						(125)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant						$	16,561					$	12,531
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 2)
Basic						$	1.43					$	1.10
Diluted						$	1.43					$	1.09
Weighted Average Shares (Note 2)
Basic						11,553						11,432
Diluted						11,612						11,508

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

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Table of Contents

KADANT INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

						Three Months Ended
						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
(In thousands)
Net Income						$	16,796					$	12,656
Other Comprehensive Items:
Foreign currency translation adjustment						(4,750)						(12,574)
Post-retirement liability adjustments, net (net of tax of $10 and $20)						28						50
Effect of post-retirement plan settlement						—						(119)
Deferred gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (net of tax of $19 and $(119))						113						(302)
Other comprehensive items						(4,609)						(12,945)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)						12,187						(289)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest						(174)						(114)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Kadant						$	12,013					$	(403)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

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Table of Contents

KADANT INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

						Three Months Ended
						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
(In thousands)
Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Kadant						$	16,561					$	12,531
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest						235						125
Net income						16,796						12,656
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization						7,686						7,598
Stock-based compensation expense						1,499						1,639
(Benefit) provision for losses on accounts receivable						(129)						103
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant, and equipment						48						(10)
Other items, net						(430)						(877)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of an acquisition:
Accounts receivable						(13,955)						1,929
Unbilled revenue						1,231						844
Inventories						(6,612)						(3,735)
Other current assets						(2,690)						(1,107)
Accounts payable						8,031						(3,440)
Other current liabilities						7,617						(9,431)
Net cash provided by operating activities						19,092						6,169
Investing Activities
Acquisition						(125)						—
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment						(2,259)						(2,686)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment						32						14
Net cash used in investing activities						(2,352)						(2,672)
Financing Activities
Repayment of long-term obligations						(19,563)						(2,969)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations						10,139						—
Tax withholding payments related to stock-based compensation						(3,388)						(2,318)
Dividends paid						(2,770)						(2,628)
Proceeds from issuance of Company common stock						—						913
Net cash used in financing activities						(15,582)						(7,002)
Exchange Rate Effect on Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash						(1,090)						(2,693)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash						68						(6,198)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Period						66,640						68,273
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash at End of Period						$	66,708					$	62,075

See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,

under the heading Supplemental Cash Flow Information for further details.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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KADANT INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

						Three Months Ended April 3, 2021
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)						Common Stock												Capital in Excess of Par Value						Retained Earnings						Treasury Stock												Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items						Noncontrolling Interest						Total Stockholders' Equity
						Shares						Amount																		Shares						Amount
Balance at January 2, 2021						14,624,159						$	146					$	110,824					$	479,400					3,081,919						$	(75,519)					$	(19,492)					$	1,546					$	496,905
Net income						—						—						—						16,561						—						—						—						235						16,796
Dividend declared – Common Stock, $0.25 per share						—						—						—						(2,894)						—						—						—						—						(2,894)
Activity under stock plans						—						—						(2,760)						—						(35,540)						870						—						—						(1,890)
Other comprehensive items						—						—						—						—						—						—						(4,548)						(61)						(4,609)
Balance at April 3, 2021						14,624,159						$	146					$	108,064					$	493,067					3,046,379						$	(74,649)					$	(24,040)					$	1,720					$	504,308

						Three Months Ended March 28, 2020
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)						Common Stock												Capital in Excess of Par Value						Retained Earnings						Treasury Stock												Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items						Noncontrolling Interest						Total Stockholders' Equity
						Shares						Amount																		Shares						Amount
Balance at December 28, 2019						14,624,159						$	146					$	106,698					$	435,249					3,214,888						$	(78,778)					$	(37,620)					$	1,384					$	427,079
Net income						—						—						—						12,531						—						—						—						125						12,656
Dividend declared – Common Stock, $0.24 per share						—						—						—						(2,753)						—						—						—						—						(2,753)
Activity under stock plans						—						—						(1,241)						—						(60,244)						1,476						—						—						235
Other comprehensive items						—						—						—						—						—						—						(12,934)						(11)						(12,945)
Balance at March 28, 2020						14,624,159						$	146					$	105,457					$	445,027					3,154,644						$	(77,302)					$	(50,554)					$	1,498					$	424,272

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1.    Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Kadant Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in November 1991 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KAI."

Kadant Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company) is a global supplier of high-value, critical components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide. Its products, technologies, and services play an integral role in enhancing process efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in resource-intensive industries.

    

Interim Financial Statements

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes presented have been prepared by the Company, are unaudited, and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position at April 3, 2021, its results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and stockholders' equity for the three-month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year or for any other interim period.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet presented as of January 2, 2021 has been derived from the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021. The condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes are presented as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the annual consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company. The condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements or in the application of accounting policies, if business conditions were different, or if the Company were to use different estimates and assumptions, it is possible that materially different amounts could be reported in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 describes the significant accounting estimates and policies used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies during the three months ended April 3, 2021.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

						Three Months Ended
(In thousands)						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
Cash Paid for Interest						$	892					$	2,212
Cash Paid for Income Taxes, Net of Refunds						$	5,344					$	4,698
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Non-cash additions to property, plant, and equipment						$	169					$	128
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
Issuance of Company common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units						$	3,203					$	3,670
Dividends declared but unpaid						$	2,894					$	2,753

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Restricted Cash

The Company's restricted cash serves as collateral for certain banker's acceptance drafts issued to vendors and for bank guarantees associated with providing assurance to customers that the Company will fulfill certain customer obligations entered into in the normal course of business. The majority of the bank guarantees will expire over the next twelve months.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet that are shown in aggregate in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:

(In thousands)						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020						January 2, 2021						December 28, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents						$	65,982					$	60,012					$	65,682					$	66,786
Restricted cash						726						2,063						958						1,487
Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash						$	66,708					$	62,075					$	66,640					$	68,273

Inventories

The components of inventories are as follows:

						April 3, 2021						January 2, 2021
(In thousands)
Raw Materials						$	45,697					$	46,413
Work in Process						23,789						17,692
Finished Goods						43,104						42,709
						$	112,590					$	106,814

Intangible Assets, Net

Acquired intangible assets by major asset class are as follows:

(In thousands)						Gross						Accumulated Amortization						Currency Translation						Net
April 3, 2021
Definite-Lived
Customer relationships						$	173,728					$	(68,910)					$	(1,760)					$	103,058
Product technology						56,111						(32,557)						(1,200)						22,354
Tradenames						6,027						(3,054)						(325)						2,648
Other						18,248						(14,569)						(541)						3,138
						254,114						(119,090)						(3,826)						131,198
Indefinite-Lived
Tradenames						24,100						—						236						24,336
Acquired Intangible Assets						$	278,214					$	(119,090)					$	(3,590)					$	155,534
January 2, 2021
Definite-Lived
Customer relationships						$	173,728					$	(65,488)					$	(1,316)					$	106,924
Product technology						56,111						(31,655)						(1,005)						23,451
Tradenames						6,027						(2,946)						(282)						2,799
Other						18,248						(14,369)						(515)						3,364
						254,114						(114,458)						(3,118)						136,538
Indefinite-Lived
Tradenames						24,100						—						327						24,427
Acquired Intangible Assets						$	278,214					$	(114,458)					$	(2,791)					$	160,965

    

Intangible assets are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Subsequent impairment charges are reflected as a reduction in the gross balance, as applicable. Definite-lived intangible assets are stated net of accumulated amortization and currency translation in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets over lives that have been determined based on the anticipated cash flow benefits of the intangible asset.

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment are as follows:

(In thousands)						Flow Control						Industrial Processing						Material Handling						Total
Balance at January 2, 2021
Gross balance						$	101,437					$	215,881					$	119,944					$	437,262
Accumulated impairment losses						—						(85,509)						—						(85,509)
Net balance						101,437						130,372						119,944						351,753
2021 Adjustment
Currency translation						(1,273)						(466)						(1,510)						(3,249)
Total 2021 adjustment						(1,273)						(466)						(1,510)						(3,249)
Balance at April 3, 2021
Gross balance						100,164						215,415						118,434						434,013
Accumulated impairment losses						—						(85,509)						—						(85,509)
Net balance						$	100,164					$	129,906					$	118,434					$	348,504

Warranty Obligations

The Company's contracts covering the sale of its products include warranty provisions that provide assurance to its customers that the products will comply with agreed-upon specifications during a defined period of time. The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time of sale based on historical occurrence rates and repair costs, as well as knowledge of any specific warranty problems that indicate projected warranty costs may vary from historical patterns. The Company negotiates the terms regarding warranty coverage and length of warranty depending on the products and applications.

The Company's liability for warranties is included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The changes in the carrying amount of product warranty obligations are as follows:

						Three Months Ended
(In thousands)						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
Balance at Beginning of Year						$	7,064					$	6,467
Provision charged to expense						1,664						1,270
Usage						(1,361)						(1,365)
Currency translation						(133)						(162)
Balance at End of Period						$	7,234					$	6,210

Revenue Recognition

Most of the Company’s revenue relates to products and services that require minimal customization and is recognized at a point in time for each performance obligation under the contract when the customer obtains control of the goods or service. The remaining portion of the Company’s revenue is recognized on an over time basis based on an input method that compares the costs incurred to date to the total expected costs required to satisfy the performance obligation. Contracts are accounted for on an over time basis when they include products which have no alternative use and an enforceable right to payment over time. Most of the contracts recognized on an over time basis are for large capital projects. These projects are highly customized for the customer and, as a result, would include a significant cost to rework in the event of cancellation.

The following table presents revenue by revenue recognition method:

						Three Months Ended
						April 3,						March 28,
(In thousands)						2021						2020
Point in Time						$	154,417					$	136,092
Over Time						18,046						23,035
						$	172,463					$	159,127

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by reportable operating segment, product type and geography as this best depicts how its revenue is affected by economic factors.

The following table presents the disaggregation of revenue by product type and geography:

						Three Months Ended
						April 3,						March 28,
(In thousands)						2021						2020
Revenue by Product Type:
Parts and Consumables						$	118,107					$	105,098
Capital						54,356						54,029
						$	172,463					$	159,127
Revenue by Geography (based on customer location):
North America						$	95,092					$	93,823
Europe						44,641						36,014
Asia						21,813						15,908
Rest of World						10,917						13,382
						$	172,463					$	159,127

See Note 9, Business Segment Information, for information on the disaggregation of revenue by reportable operating segment.

The following table presents contract balances from contracts with customers:

						April 3, 2021						January 2, 2021
(In thousands)
Accounts Receivable						$	104,378					$	91,540
Contract Assets						$	6,204					$	7,576
Contract Liabilities						$	48,286					$	39,269

Contract assets represent unbilled revenue associated with revenue recognized on contracts accounted for on an over time basis, which will be billed in future periods based on the contract terms. Contract liabilities consist of customer deposits, advanced billings, and deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Contract liabilities will be recognized as revenue in future periods once the revenue recognition criteria are met. The majority of the contract liabilities relate to advance payments on contracts accounted for at a point in time. These advance payments will be recognized as revenue when the Company's performance obligations have been satisfied, which typically occurs when the product has shipped and control of the asset has transferred to the customer.

The Company recognized revenue of $17,140,000 in the first three months of 2021 and $19,708,000 in the first three months of 2020 that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of 2021 and 2020. The majority of the Company's contracts for capital equipment have an original expected duration of one year or less. Certain capital contracts require long lead times and could take up to 24 months to complete. For contracts with an original expected duration of over one year, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations as of April 3, 2021 was $16,990,000. The Company will recognize revenue for these performance obligations as they are satisfied, approximately 48% of which is expected to occur within the next twelve months and the remaining 52% within the following twelve months.

Banker's Acceptance Drafts Included in Accounts Receivable

The Company's Chinese subsidiaries may receive banker's acceptance drafts from customers as payment for their trade accounts receivable. The drafts are noninterest-bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company's Chinese subsidiaries may sell the drafts at a discount to a third-party financial institution or transfer the drafts to vendors in settlement of current accounts payable prior to the scheduled maturity date. These drafts, which totaled $10,347,000 at April 3, 2021 and $9,445,000 at January 2, 2021, are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet until the subsidiary sells the drafts to a bank and receives a discounted amount, transfers the banker's acceptance drafts in settlement of current accounts payable prior to maturity, or obtains cash payment on the scheduled maturity date.

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of franchise tax, the treatment of a step up in the tax basis of goodwill, and the timing for recognition of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the interim period annual effective tax rate computation. This new guidance is effective in fiscal 2021, and the transition requirements are primarily prospective. The Company adopted this ASU prospectively at the beginning of fiscal 2021 and its adoption did not have an impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of reference rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), if certain criteria are met. Generally, contract modifications related to reference rate reform may be considered an event that does not require remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination at the modification date. The guidance in this ASU is applicable to the Company's existing contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR and may be adopted prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

2.    Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) were calculated as follows:

						Three Months Ended
						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant						$	16,561					$	12,531
Basic Weighted Average Shares						11,553						11,432
Effect of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares						59						76
Diluted Weighted Average Shares						11,612						11,508
Basic Earnings per Share						$	1.43					$	1.10
Diluted Earnings per Share						$	1.43					$	1.09

The effect of outstanding and unvested restricted stock units (RSUs) of the Company's common stock totaling 44,000 shares in the first quarter of 2021 and 43,000 shares in the first quarter of 2020 was not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the respective periods as the effect would have been antidilutive or, for unvested performance-based RSUs, the performance conditions had not been met as of the end of the reporting periods.

3.    Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $5,561,000 in the first three months of 2021 and $4,559,000 in the first three months of 2020. The effective tax rate of 25% in the first three months of 2021 was higher than the Company's statutory rate of 21% primarily due to nondeductible expenses, the distribution of the Company's worldwide earnings, state taxes, and tax expense associated with the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) provisions. This incremental tax expense was offset in part by a decrease in tax related to the net excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements. The effective tax rate of 26% in the first three months of 2020 was higher than the Company's statutory rate of 21% primarily due to nondeductible expenses, state taxes, the distribution of the Company’s worldwide earnings, and tax expense associated with GILTI. This incremental tax expense was offset in part by the reversal of tax reserves associated with uncertain tax positions.

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

4.    Long-Term Obligations

Long-term obligations are as follows:

						April 3, 2021						January 2, 2021
(In thousands)
Revolving Credit Facility, due 2023						$	207,257					$	217,963
Senior Promissory Notes, due 2023 to 2028						10,000						10,000
Finance Leases, due 2021 to 2025						1,570						1,631
Other Borrowings, due 2021 to 2023						3,657						3,880
Total						222,484						233,474
Less: Current Maturities of Long-Term Obligations						(1,417)						(1,474)
Long-Term Obligations						$	221,067					$	232,000

See Note 8, Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for the fair value information related to the Company's long-term obligations.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company entered into an unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility, dated as of March 1, 2017 (as amended and restated to date, the Credit Agreement). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company has a borrowing capacity of $400,000,000, with an uncommitted, unsecured incremental borrowing facility of $150,000,000, with a maturity date of December 14, 2023. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues and is payable in arrears calculated at one of the following rates selected by the Company: (i) the Base Rate, plus an applicable margin of 0% to 1.25%, or (ii) LIBOR (with a zero percent floor), as defined, plus an applicable margin of 1% to 2.25%. The Base Rate is calculated as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the prime rate as published by Citizens Bank, N.A. (Citizens Bank) and (c) thirty-day U.S. dollar LIBOR (USD LIBOR), as defined, plus 0.50%. The applicable margin is determined based upon the ratio of the Company's total debt, net of unrestricted cash up to $30,000,000 and certain debt obligations, to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The obligations under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default, which includes customary events of default under such financing arrangements. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains negative covenants applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, including financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.00, or, if the Company elects, for the quarter during which a material acquisition occurs and for the three fiscal quarters thereafter, 4.00 to 1.00, and limitations on making certain restricted payments (including dividends and stock repurchases).

Loans under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company. In addition, one of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries entered into a separate guarantee agreement limited to certain obligations of two foreign subsidiary borrowers.

As of April 3, 2021, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $207,257,000, which included $48,257,000 of euro-denominated borrowings. As of April 3, 2021, the Company had $192,819,000 of borrowing capacity available under its Credit Agreement, which was calculated by translating its foreign-denominated borrowings using borrowing date foreign exchange rates.

See Note 7, Derivatives, under the heading Interest Rate Swap Agreement, for information relating to the swap agreement used to hedge the Company’s exposure to movements in the three-month USD LIBOR on its U.S. dollar-denominated debt borrowed under the Credit Agreement.

The weighted average interest rate for the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was 1.56% as of April 3, 2021.

Senior Promissory Notes

In 2018, the Company entered into an uncommitted, unsecured Multi-Currency Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (Note Purchase Agreement). Simultaneous with the execution of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company issued senior promissory notes (Initial Notes) in an aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000, with a per annum interest rate of 4.90% payable semiannually, and a maturity date of December 14, 2028. The Company is required to prepay a portion of the principal of the Initial Notes beginning on December 14, 2023 and each year thereafter, and may optionally prepay the principal on the Initial Notes, together with any prepayment premium, at any time (in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, or the foreign currency equivalent thereof, if applicable) in accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement. The obligations of the Initial Notes

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

may be accelerated upon an event of default as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, which includes customary events of default under such financing arrangements.

In accordance with the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company may also issue additional senior promissory notes (together with the Initial Notes, the Senior Promissory Notes) up to an additional $115,000,000 until the earlier of December 14, 2021 or the thirtieth day after written notice to terminate the issuance and sale of additional notes pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement. The Senior Promissory Notes are pari passu with the Company’s indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, and any other senior debt of the Company, subject to certain specified exceptions, and participate in a sharing agreement with respect to the obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement. The Senior Promissory Notes are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.

Debt Compliance

As of April 3, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the covenants related to its debt obligations.

Finance Leases

The Company's finance leases primarily relate to contracts for vehicles.

Other Borrowings

Other borrowings include a sale-leaseback financing arrangement for a manufacturing facility in Germany. Under this arrangement, the quarterly lease payment includes principal, interest, and a payment to the landlord toward a loan receivable. The interest rate on the outstanding obligation is 1.79%. The secured loan receivable, which is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet, was $1,266,000 at April 3, 2021. The lease arrangement provides for a fixed price purchase option, net of the projected loan receivable, of $1,566,000 at the end of the lease term in August 2022. If the Company does not exercise the purchase option for the facility, the Company will receive cash from the landlord to settle the loan receivable. As of April 3, 2021, $3,615,000 was outstanding under this obligation.

5.    Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,499,000 in the first quarter of 2021 and $1,639,000 in the first quarter of 2020 within selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income. The Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based awards granted to employees and directors based on the grant date estimate of fair value for those awards. The fair value of RSUs is based on the grant date price of the Company's common stock, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends foregone during the requisite service period. For time-based RSUs, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the entire award based on the grant date fair value, and net of actual forfeitures recorded when they occur. For performance-based RSUs, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award based on the grant date fair value, net of actual forfeitures recorded when they occur, and remeasured each reporting period until the total number of RSUs to be issued is known. Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based compensation totaled approximately $11,500,000 at April 3, 2021 and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

Performance-based RSUs

On March 9, 2021, the Company granted performance-based RSUs to certain of its officers, which represented, in aggregate, the right to receive 22,613 shares (the target RSU amount), with an aggregate grant date fair value of $3,962,000. The RSUs are subject to adjustment based on the achievement of the performance measure selected for the 2021 fiscal year, which is a specified target for adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) generated from operations for the 2021 fiscal year. The RSUs are adjusted by comparing the actual adjusted EBITDA for the performance period to the target adjusted EBITDA. Actual adjusted EBITDA between 50% and 100% of the target adjusted EBITDA results in an adjustment of 50% to 100% of the RSU amount. Actual adjusted EBITDA between 100% and 115% of the target adjusted EBITDA results in an adjustment using a straight-line linear scale between 100% and 150% of the RSU amount. Actual adjusted EBITDA in excess of 115% results in an adjustment capped at 150% of the RSU amount. If actual

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KADANT INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

adjusted EBITDA is below 50% of the target adjusted EBITDA for the 2021 fiscal year, these performance-based RSUs will be forfeited. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on the probable number of performance-based RSUs expected to vest. Following the adjustment, the performance-based RSUs will be subject to additional time-based vesting, and will vest in three equal annual installments on March 10 of 2022, 2023, and 2024, provided that the officer is employed by the Company on the applicable vesting dates.

Time-based RSUs

On March 9, 2021, the Company also granted time-based RSUs representing 21,559 shares to its officers and employees with an aggregate grant date fair value of $3,777,000. These time-based RSUs generally vest in three equal annual installments on March 10 of 2022, 2023, and 2024, provided that a recipient remains employed by the Company on the applicable vesting dates.

6.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items

Comprehensive income (loss) combines net income and other comprehensive items, which represent certain amounts that are reported as components of stockholders' equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive items (AOCI), net of tax, are as follows:

(In thousands)						Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment						Post-Retirement Benefit Liability Adjustments						Deferred Loss on Cash Flow Hedges						Total
Balance at January 2, 2021						$	(17,894)					$	(770)					$	(828)					$	(19,492)
Other comprehensive items before reclassifications						(4,689)						18						30						(4,641)
Reclassifications from AOCI						—						10						83						93
Net current period other comprehensive items						(4,689)						28						113						(4,548)
Balance at April 3, 2021						$	(22,583)					$	(742)					$	(715)					$	(24,040)

Amounts reclassified from AOCI are as follows:

						Three Months Ended
(In thousands)						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020																		Statement of Income Line Item
Post-retirement Benefit Plans
Recognized net actuarial loss						$	(11)					$	(15)																	Other expense, net
Amortization of prior service cost						(3)						(2)																		Other expense, net
Total expense before income taxes						(14)						(17)
Income tax benefit						4						124																		Provision for income taxes
						(10)						107
Cash Flow Hedges (a)
Interest rate swap agreements						(109)						(34)																		Interest expense
Forward currency-exchange contracts						—						(23)																		Cost of revenue
Total expense before income taxes						(109)						(57)
Income tax benefit						26						14																		Provision for income taxes
						(83)						(43)
Total Reclassifications						$	(93)					$	64

(a)See Note 7, Derivatives, for additional information.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

7.    Derivatives

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

In 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement (2018 Swap Agreement) with Citizens Bank to hedge its exposure to movements in USD LIBOR on its U.S. dollar-denominated debt. The 2018 Swap Agreement has a $15,000,000 notional value and expires on June 30, 2023. On a quarterly basis, the Company receives three-month USD LIBOR, which is subject to a zero percent floor, and pays a fixed rate of interest of 3.15% plus an applicable margin as defined in the Credit Agreement.

The Company designated its 2018 Swap Agreement as a cash flow hedge and structured it to be 100% effective. Unrealized gains and losses related to the fair value of the 2018 Swap Agreement are recorded to AOCI, net of tax. In the event of early termination, the Company will receive from or pay to the counterparty the fair value of the 2018 Swap Agreement, and the unrealized gain or loss outstanding will be recognized in earnings.

The counterparty to the 2018 Swap Agreement could demand an early termination of that agreement if the Company were to be in default under the Credit Agreement, or any agreement that amends or replaces the Credit Agreement in which the counterparty is a member, and if it were to be unable to cure the default. See Note 4, Long-Term Obligations, for further details.

Forward Currency-Exchange Contracts

The Company uses forward currency-exchange contracts that generally have maturities of twelve months or less to hedge exposures resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Such exposures result from assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies.

Forward currency-exchange contracts that hedge forecasted accounts receivable or accounts payable are designated as cash flow hedges and unrecognized gains and losses are recorded to AOCI, net of tax. Deferred gains and losses are recognized in the statement of income in the period in which the underlying transaction occurs. The fair values of forward currency-exchange contracts that are designated as fair value hedges and forward currency-exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in earnings.

The Company recognized losses of $3,000 in the first quarter of 2021 and $34,000 in the first quarter of 2020 within SG&A expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income associated with forward currency-exchange contracts that were not designated as hedges.

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet:

												April 3, 2021												January 2, 2021
						Balance Sheet Location						Asset (Liability) (a)						Notional Amount (b)						Asset (Liability) (a)						Notional Amount
(In thousands)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Derivatives in an Asset Position:
Forward currency-exchange contract						Other Current Assets						$	—					$	—					$	25					$	842
Derivatives in a Liability Position:
Forward currency-exchange contract						Other Current Liabilities						$	(9)					$	842					$	—					$	—
2018 Swap Agreement						Other Long-Term Liabilities						$	(933)					$	15,000					$	(1,099)					$	15,000
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Derivatives in an Asset Position:
Forward currency-exchange contracts						Other Current Assets						$	—					$	—					$	12					$	582
Derivatives in a Liability Position:
Forward currency-exchange contracts						Other Current Liabilities						$	(3)					$	266					$	(7)					$	825

(a) See Note 8, Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, for the fair value measurements relating to these financial instruments.

(b) The 2021 notional amounts are indicative of the level of the Company's recurring derivative activity.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the activity in AOCI associated with the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of and for the three months ended April 3, 2021:

(In thousands)						Interest Rate Swap Agreement						Forward Currency- Exchange Contracts						Total
Unrealized (Loss) Gain, Net of Tax, at January 2, 2021						$	(846)					$	18					$	(828)
Loss reclassified to earnings (a)						83						—						83
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI						55						(25)						30
Unrealized Loss, Net of Tax, at April 3, 2021						$	(708)					$	(7)					$	(715)

    

(a) See Note 6, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items, for the income statement classification.

As of April 3, 2021, the Company expects to reclassify losses of $346,000 from AOCI to earnings over the next twelve months based on the estimated cash flows of the 2018 Swap Agreement and the maturity date of the forward currency-exchange contract.

8.    Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value measurement is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is established, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:

•Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•Level 2—Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

•Level 3—Unobservable inputs based on the Company's own assumptions.

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

						Fair Value as of April 3, 2021
(In thousands)						Level 1						Level 2						Level 3						Total
Assets:
Money market funds and time deposits						$	10,637					$	—					$	—					$	10,637
Banker's acceptance drafts (a)						$	—					$	10,347					$	—					$	10,347
Liabilities:
2018 Swap Agreement						$	—					$	933					$	—					$	933
Forward currency-exchange contracts						$	—					$	12					$	—					$	12

						Fair Value as of January 2, 2021
(In thousands)						Level 1						Level 2						Level 3						Total
Assets:
Money market funds and time deposits						$	8,054					$	—					$	—					$	8,054
Banker's acceptance drafts (a)						$	—					$	9,445					$	—					$	9,445
Forward currency-exchange contracts						$	—					$	37					$	—					$	37
Liabilities:
2018 Swap Agreement						$	—					$	1,099					$	—					$	1,099
Forward currency-exchange contracts						$	—					$	7					$	—					$	7

(a)Included in accounts receivable in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The Company uses the market approach technique to value its financial assets and liabilities, and there were no changes in valuation techniques during the first three months of 2021. Banker's acceptance drafts are carried at face value. which approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of the negotiable instrument. The fair values of the forward currency-exchange contracts are based on quoted forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date. The fair value of the 2018 Swap Agreement is based on USD LIBOR yield curves at the reporting date. The forward currency-exchange contracts and the 2018 Swap Agreement are hedges of either recorded assets or liabilities or anticipated transactions and represent the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay upon liquidation of the contracts. Changes in values of the underlying hedged assets and liabilities or anticipated transactions are not reflected in the table above.    

The carrying value and fair value of debt obligations, excluding lease obligations and other borrowings, are as follows:

						April 3, 2021												January 2, 2021
						Carrying Value						Fair Value						Carrying Value						Fair Value
(In thousands)
Debt Obligations:
Revolving credit facility						$	207,257					$	207,257					$	217,963					$	217,963
Senior promissory notes						10,000						11,130						10,000						11,157
						$	217,257					$	218,387					$	227,963					$	229,120

The carrying value of the Company's revolving credit facility approximates the fair value as the obligation bears variable rates of interest, which adjust frequently, based on prevailing market rates. The fair value of the senior promissory notes is primarily calculated based on quoted market rates plus an applicable margin available to the Company at the respective period ends, which represent Level 2 measurements.

9.    Business Segment Information

The Company has combined its operating entities into three reportable operating segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling. The Flow Control segment consists of the fluid-handling and doctoring, cleaning, & filtration product lines; the Industrial Processing segment consists of the wood processing and stock-preparation product lines; and the Material Handling segment consists of the conveying and screening, baling, and fiber-based product lines. A description of each segment follows.

    

•Flow Control – Custom-engineered products, systems, and technologies that control the flow of fluids used in industrial and commercial applications to keep critical processes running efficiently in the packaging, tissue, food, metals, and other industrial sectors. The Company's primary products include rotary sealing devices, steam systems, expansion joints, doctor systems, roll and fabric cleaning devices, and filtration and fiber recovery systems.

•Industrial Processing – Equipment, machinery, and technologies used to recycle paper and paperboard and process timber for use in the packaging, tissue, wood products and alternative fuel industries, among others. The Company's primary products include stock-preparation systems and recycling equipment, chemical pulping equipment, debarkers, stranders, chippers, and logging machinery. In addition, the Company provides industrial automation and digitization solutions to process industries.

•Material Handling – Products and engineered systems used to handle bulk and discrete materials for secondary processing or transport in the aggregates, mining, food, and waste management industries, among others. The Company's primary products include conveying and vibratory equipment and balers. In addition, the Company manufactures and sells biodegradable, absorbent granules used as carriers in agricultural applications and for oil and grease absorption.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table presents financial information for the Company's reportable operating segments:

						Three Months Ended
						April 3,						March 28,
(In thousands)						2021						2020
Revenue
Flow Control						$	63,754					$	57,149
Industrial Processing						69,154						64,709
Material Handling						39,555						37,269
						$	172,463					$	159,127
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes
Flow Control						$	16,443					$	13,330
Industrial Processing						11,133						9,436
Material Handling						4,443						4,134
Corporate (a)						(8,592)						(7,245)
Total operating income						23,427						19,655
Interest expense, net (b)						(1,046)						(2,408)
Other expense, net (b)						(24)						(32)
						$	22,357					$	17,215
Capital Expenditures
Flow Control						$	334					$	821
Industrial Processing						1,804						1,464
Material Handling						121						398
Corporate						—						3
						$	2,259					$	2,686

(a) Represents general and administrative expenses.

(b) The Company does not allocate interest and other expense, net to its segments.

10.    Commitments and Contingencies

Right of Recourse

In the ordinary course of business, the Company's Chinese subsidiaries may receive banker's acceptance drafts from customers as payment for their trade accounts receivable. The drafts are noninterest-bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company's Chinese subsidiaries may use these banker's acceptance drafts prior to the scheduled maturity date to settle outstanding accounts payable with vendors. Banker's acceptance drafts transferred to vendors are subject to customary right of recourse provisions prior to their scheduled maturity dates. The Company had $6,476,000 at April 3, 2021 and $7,568,000 at January 2, 2021 of banker's acceptance drafts subject to recourse, which were transferred to vendors and had not reached their scheduled maturity dates. Historically, the banker's acceptance drafts have settled upon maturity without any claim of recourse against the Company.

Litigation

From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims and legal proceedings covering a range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Such litigation may include, but is not limited to, claims and counterclaims by and against the Company for breach of contract or warranty, canceled contracts, product liability, or bankruptcy-related claims. For legal proceedings in which a loss is probable and estimable, the Company accrues a loss based on the low end of the range of estimated loss when there is no better estimate within the range. If the Company were found to be liable for any of the claims or counterclaims against it, the Company would incur a charge against earnings for amounts in excess of legal accruals.

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Item 2 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

When we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company,” we mean Kadant Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context otherwise indicates.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents we incorporate by reference in this report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and may include statements regarding possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management, using information currently available to our management. When we use words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "seeks," "should," "likely," "will," "would," "may," "continue," "could," or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our future results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of the important factors that will determine these results and values are beyond our ability to control or predict. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, you should read carefully Risk Factors included in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and as may be further amended and/or restated in subsequent filings with the SEC.

Overview

Company Background

We are a global supplier of high-value, critical components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide. Our products, technologies, and services play an integral role in enhancing process efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in resource-intensive industries.

Our financial results are reported in three reportable operating segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling. The Flow Control segment consists of our fluid-handling and doctoring, cleaning, & filtration product lines; the Industrial Processing segment consists of our wood processing and stock-preparation product lines; and the Material Handling segment consists of our conveying and screening, baling, and fiber-based product lines.

A description of each segment is as follows:

•Flow Control – Custom-engineered products, systems, and technologies that control the flow of fluids used in industrial and commercial applications to keep critical processes running efficiently in the packaging, tissue, food, metals, and other industrial sectors. Our primary products include rotary sealing devices, steam systems, expansion joints, doctor systems, roll and fabric cleaning devices, and filtration and fiber recovery systems.

•Industrial Processing – Equipment, machinery, and technologies used to recycle paper and paperboard and process timber for use in the packaging, tissue, wood products, and alternative fuel industries, among others. Our primary products include stock-preparation systems and recycling equipment, chemical pulping equipment, debarkers, stranders, chippers, and logging machinery. In addition, we provide industrial automation and digitization solutions to process industries.

•Material Handling – Products and engineered systems used to handle bulk and discrete materials for secondary processing or transport in the aggregates, mining, food, and waste management industries, among others. Our primary products include conveying and vibratory equipment and balers. In addition, we manufacture and sell biodegradable, absorbent granules used as carriers in agricultural applications and for oil and grease absorption.

Industry and Business Overview

We had record bookings of $204 million in the first quarter of 2021 due to strong demand for our parts and consumables products, as well as a high level of capital project activity. This follows the previous bookings record set in the fourth quarter of 2020 as our businesses rebounded from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began to affect our Chinese operations in February 2020 and our other major operations late in the first quarter of 2020. As a result, our bookings and revenue were adversely impacted for a substantial part of 2020 due to reduced or delayed spending by our customers.

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However, many of the markets in which we operate began to normalize in the latter part of 2020. We ended the first quarter of 2021 with a record backlog of $223 million. An overview of our business by segment is as follows:

•Flow Control – Orders for our parts and consumables products at all our Flow Control businesses began to recover in the latter part of 2020 and this trend continued through the first quarter of 2021. This was partially due to pent-up demand resulting from the adverse effect of COVID-19 pandemic-related downtimes and shutdowns, as well as visitation restrictions at many customer facilities earlier in 2020. Capital equipment bookings increased from depressed levels encountered during most of 2020, with capital equipment revenue anticipated to increase in the second quarter of 2021.

•Industrial Processing – Our wood processing business continues to experience strong demand for its products, fueled by a robust U.S. housing market and high demand for lumber, oriented strand board and plywood, which increased mill run rates resulting in higher parts consumption and capital equipment investment by our customers at our North American operations. Additionally, our European wood processing operation is experiencing a similar impact. While bookings for both parts and consumables products and capital equipment have been strong, revenue related to capital equipment orders will not accelerate until the second quarter of 2021. Conversely, despite several large project orders at our U.S. and Chinese operations in the fourth quarter of 2020, our stock-preparation business continues to be negatively impacted by delays on large capital projects and reductions in capital equipment spending due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as uncertainty in Asia surrounding our customers' response to China's recovered paper import restriction. The continued strength for our stock-preparation parts and consumables products, due in part to the ongoing recovery from a significant downturn in mid-2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially mitigated the effects of depressed capital equipment orders.

•Material Handling – Bookings for parts and consumables products rebounded in the first quarter of 2021 primarily due to increased customer spending as a result of the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns and visitation restrictions, which we expect to continue. Demand for our capital equipment has increased in the last few quarters driven by our baling business, which has experienced improved business conditions, including the recovery of recycled commodity prices.

While we have seen improved market conditions and increased demand for our products over the last two quarters, there is uncertainty surrounding the continued recovery in certain regions of the world due to variability around vaccine availability and COVID-19 infection rates. Travel and visitation restrictions continue to have an impact on our ability to interact with our customers, which affects the timing of orders. For more information on risks related to health epidemics to our business, including COVID-19, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021.

International Sales

Slightly more than half of our sales are to customers outside the United States, mainly in Europe, Asia, and Canada. As a result, our financial performance can be materially affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. To mitigate the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, we generally seek to charge our customers in the same currency in which our operating costs are incurred. Additionally, we may enter into forward currency exchange contracts to hedge certain firm purchase and sale commitments denominated in currencies other than our subsidiaries' functional currencies. We currently do not use derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations created by the translation into the U.S. dollar of our foreign subsidiaries' results that are in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Global Trade

In 2018, the United States began imposing tariffs on certain imports from China, which has and will continue to increase the cost of some of the equipment that we import. Although we have worked to mitigate the impact of tariffs through pricing and sourcing strategies, we cannot be sure these strategies will effectively mitigate the impact of these costs. For more information on risks associated with our global operations, including tariffs, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021.

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Acquisitions

We expect that a significant driver of our growth over the next several years will be the acquisition of businesses and technologies that complement or augment our existing products and services or may involve entry into a new process industry. We continue to pursue acquisition opportunities. In June 2020, we made an acquisition in our Industrial Processing segment for approximately $6.9 million, net of cash acquired.

Results of Operations

First Quarter 2021 Compared With First Quarter 2020

Revenue

The following table presents the change in revenue by segment between the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, and those changes excluding the effect of foreign currency translation and an acquisition which we refer to as change in organic revenue. The presentation of the change in organic revenue is a non-GAAP measure. We believe this non-GAAP measure helps investors gain an understanding of our underlying operations consistent with how management measures and forecasts its performance, especially when comparing such results to prior periods. This non-GAAP measure should not be considered superior to or a substitute for the corresponding U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) measure.

Revenue by segment in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

																																										(Non-GAAP)
						Three Months Ended																								Currency Translation						Acquisition						Change in Organic Revenue
(In thousands, except percentages)						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020						Total Increase						% Change																		Increase						% Change
Flow Control						$	63,754					$	57,149					$	6,605					12		%				$	1,630					$	—					$	4,975					9		%
Industrial Processing						69,154						64,709						4,445						7		%				3,027						509						909						1		%
Material Handling						39,555						37,269						2,286						6		%				1,355						—						931						2		%
Consolidated Revenue						$	172,463					$	159,127					$	13,336					8		%				$	6,012					$	509					$	6,815					4		%

Consolidated revenue in the first quarter of 2021 increased 8%, while consolidated organic revenue increased 4%, driven by higher demand for parts and consumables products at our Flow Control and Industrial Processing segments as described below.

Revenue at our Flow Control segment increased 12% in the first quarter of 2021, while organic revenue increased 9%. These increases resulted from higher demand for parts and consumables products across all our operations, which was due in part to maintenance requirements at many of our customer locations and pent-up demand resulting from the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic during most of 2020. Organic revenue for capital equipment declined slightly in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter of 2020. The continued impact of curtailed capital equipment orders by our customers during 2020 primarily at our North American operations was mostly offset by an increase in capital equipment revenue at our Chinese business due to lower revenues in the first quarter of 2020 from customer-requested deferrals of equipment installations and a rebound in the Chinese economy in the first quarter of 2021.

Revenue at our Industrial Processing segment increased 7% in the first quarter of 2021, while organic revenue increased 1%. Increased demand for parts and consumables products at our wood processing business was driven by continued near-capacity mill run rates resulting in higher parts consumption. Revenue for parts and consumables at most of our stock-preparation operations also increased, due in part to pent-up demand related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lower revenue from the adverse effects of COVID-19 in the 2020 quarter. These increases were largely offset by a decline in demand for capital equipment at our stock-preparation business due to the continued impact of curtailed capital equipment spending by our customers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revenue at our Material Handling segment increased 6% in the first quarter of 2021, while organic revenue increased 2%. Organic revenue increased at our conveying and screening business primarily due to incremental capital equipment revenue related to a large order which began in the fourth quarter of 2019 that will be essentially complete in the second quarter of 2021, and at our baling business due to improved business conditions, including the recovery of recycled commodity prices. These increases were partially offset by a decline in demand for parts and consumables at our conveying and screening business due to a reduction in customer spending as a result of the continued impact of shutdowns and visitation restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Gross Profit Margin

Gross profit margin by segment in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

						Three Months Ended												Basis Point Change
						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
Flow Control						53.3%						52.9%						40			bps
Industrial Processing						40.5%						38.4%						210			bps
Material Handling						34.7%						35.5%						(80)			bps
Consolidated Gross Profit Margin						43.9%						42.9%						100			bps

Consolidated gross profit margin increased in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to a greater proportion of higher-margin parts and consumables revenue and improved margins on our capital equipment products.

Gross profit margin at our Flow Control segment was relatively unchanged in the first quarter of 2021.

Gross profit margin at our Industrial Processing segment increased in the first quarter of 2021 driven by improved margins at our wood processing business resulting from a greater proportion of higher-margin parts and consumables revenue, manufacturing efficiencies related to higher production volumes, and benefits received from government employee retention assistance programs.

Gross profit margin at our Material Handling segment decreased in the first quarter of 2021 primarily due to a greater proportion of lower-margin capital equipment revenue at our conveying and screening business, offset in part by improved margins on our capital equipment at our baling business.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses by segment in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

						Three Months Ended
(In thousands, except percentages)						April 3, 2021						% of Revenue						March 28, 2020						% of Revenue						Increase						% Change
Flow Control						$	16,508					26		%				$	15,942					28		%				$	566					4%
Industrial Processing						15,662						23		%				13,820						21		%				1,842						13%
Material Handling						8,786						22		%				8,681						23		%				105						1%
Corporate						8,475						N/A						7,149						N/A						1,326						19%
Consolidated SG&A Expenses						$	49,431					29		%				$	45,592					29		%				$	3,839					8%

Consolidated SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue remained unchanged at 29% in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020. Consolidated SG&A expenses were adversely impacted by the unfavorable effect of currency translation of $1.7 million, incremental professional services fees at Corporate, and the impact of foreign currency transactions of $1.3 million primarily related to gains in the 2020 period on U.S. dollar-denominated cash at foreign operations. These increases were offset in part by reduced travel-related costs in the first quarter of 2021.

SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue at our Flow Control segment decreased to 26% in the first quarter of 2021 compared with 28% in the first quarter of 2020 due to higher revenues in the 2021 period. SG&A expenses increased in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the first quarter of 2020 principally due to $0.5 million from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation and the impact of foreign currency transactions primarily related to gains in the 2020 period on U.S. dollar-denominated cash at our Mexican business, offset in part by reduced travel-related costs.

SG&A expenses at our Industrial Processing segment increased to 23% of revenue in the first quarter of 2021 compared with 21% in the first quarter of 2020 principally due to $0.9 million from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation and $0.6 million from the impact of foreign currency transactions primarily related to gains in the 2020 period on U.S. dollar-denominated cash at this segment's Canadian operations.

SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue at our Material Handling segment decreased to 22% in the first quarter of 2021 compared with 23% in the first quarter of 2020 due to higher revenues in the 2021 period.

SG&A expenses at Corporate increased in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to incremental professional services fees.

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Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2021 from $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2020 due to lower outstanding debt and a lower weighted-average interest rate.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes increased to $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2021 from $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2020. The effective tax rate of 25% in the first quarter of 2021 was higher than our statutory rate of 21% primarily due to nondeductible expenses, the distribution of our worldwide earnings, state taxes, and tax expense associated with Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) provisions. This incremental tax expense was offset in part by a decrease in tax related to the net excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements. The effective tax rate of 26% in the first quarter of 2020 was higher than our statutory rate of 21% primarily due to nondeductible expenses, state taxes, the distribution of our worldwide earnings, and tax expense associated with GILTI. This incremental tax expense was offset in part by the reversal of tax reserves associated with uncertain tax positions.

Net Income

Net income increased $4.1 million to $16.8 million in the first quarter of 2021 from $12.7 million in the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to a $3.8 million increase in operating income and a $1.3 million decrease in interest expense, offset in part by a $1.0 million increase in provision for income taxes (see discussions above for further details).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Consolidated working capital was $163.2 million at April 3, 2021, compared with $155.1 million at January 2, 2021. Cash and cash equivalents were $66.0 million at April 3, 2021, compared with $65.7 million at January 2, 2021, which included cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries of $64.2 million at April 3, 2021 and $63.6 million at January 2, 2021.

Cash Flows

Cash flow information in the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 was as follows:

						Three Months Ended
(In thousands)						April 3, 2021						March 28, 2020
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities						$	19,092					$	6,169
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities						(2,352)						(2,672)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities						(15,582)						(7,002)
Exchange Rate Effect on Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash						(1,090)						(2,693)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash						$	68					$	(6,198)

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities increased to $19.1 million in the first quarter of 2021 from $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2020. Our operating cash flows are primarily from cash received from customers, offset by cash payments for items such as inventory, employee compensation, operating leases, income taxes and interest payments on outstanding debt obligations. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in the 2021 period was driven by a reduction in cash used for working capital and improved net income.

Cash used for working capital was $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $14.9 million in the first quarter of 2020. Cash used for working capital in the first quarter of 2021 included cash used of $14.0 million for accounts receivable due to revenue growth and the timing of revenue and $6.6 million for inventories relating to purchases for orders that will be shipped later in fiscal 2021. These uses of cash were offset in part by $8.0 million of cash provided by accounts payable primarily for inventory purchases related to increased order activity and $7.6 million from other current liabilities primarily for customer deposits related to capital equipment orders anticipated to ship later in fiscal 2021. Cash used for working capital in the first quarter of 2020 included cash used of $3.7 million related to the buildup of inventory for large capital orders, $3.4 million in accounts payable for payments related to inventory purchases made in 2019 for large capital orders, and $9.4 million for other current liabilities primarily related to incentive compensation payments and a final payment of $2.4 million to settle our post-retirement restoration plan.

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Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2020 primarily related to capital expenditures in both periods.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $15.6 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $7.0 million in the first quarter of 2020. Repayment of long-term obligations was $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2020. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility were $10.1 million in the 2021 period.

Exchange Rate Effect on Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

The exchange rate effect on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash represents the impact of translation of cash balances at our foreign subsidiaries. The $1.1 million reduction in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in the first quarter of 2021 is primarily attributable to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro. The $2.7 million reduction in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in the first quarter of 2020 primarily related to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Mexican peso, Canadian dollar and Brazilian real.

Borrowing Capacity and Debt Obligations

We entered into an unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility, dated as of March 1, 2017 (as amended and restated to date, the Credit Agreement). As of April 3, 2021, we have a borrowing capacity of over $450 million, including $192.8 million available under the Credit Agreement, an additional $150 million in an uncommitted, unsecured incremental borrowing facility under the Credit Agreement, and $115 million of senior promissory notes available for issuance under our uncommitted Multi-Currency Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (Note Purchase Agreement). Under these agreements, our leverage ratio must be less than 3.75, or, if we elect, for the quarter during which a material acquisition occurs and for the three fiscal quarters thereafter, must be less than 4.00. As of April 3, 2021, our leverage ratio was 1.50 and we were in compliance with our debt covenants. We do not have any mandatory principal payments on our long-term debt obligations until 2023. See Note 4, Long-Term Obligations, in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our debt obligations.

Additional Liquidity and Capital Resources

On May 13, 2020, our board of directors approved the repurchase of up to $20 million of our equity securities during the period from May 13, 2020 to May 13, 2021. We have not repurchased any shares of our common stock under this authorization.

We paid cash dividends of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. On March 10, 2021, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share totaling $2.9 million that was paid on May 12, 2021. Future declarations of dividends are subject to our board of directors' approval and may be adjusted as business needs or market conditions change. The declaration of cash dividends is subject to our compliance with the covenant in our revolving credit facility related to our consolidated leverage ratio.

We plan to make expenditures of approximately $12 to $13 million during the remainder of 2021 for property, plant, and equipment.

As of April 3, 2021, we had approximately $275.1 million of total unremitted foreign earnings. It is our intent to indefinitely reinvest $252.0 million of these earnings to support the current and future capital needs of our foreign operations, including debt repayments, if any. In the first quarter of 2021, we recorded withholding taxes on the earnings in certain foreign subsidiaries that we plan to repatriate in the foreseeable future. The foreign withholding taxes that would be required if we were to remit the indefinitely-reinvested foreign earnings to the United States would be approximately $5.9 million.

In the future, our liquidity position will be affected by the level of cash flows from operations, cash paid to service our debt obligations, acquisitions, capital projects, dividends, and stock repurchases. We believe that our existing resources, together with the borrowings available under our Credit Agreement and available through our Note Purchase Agreement, and the cash we expect to generate from operations, will be sufficient to meet the capital requirements of our operations for the foreseeable future.

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Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments    

There have been no significant changes to our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments during the first quarter of 2021 compared with those disclosed in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, set forth in Part II, Item 7, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Our critical accounting policies are defined as those that entail significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis based on historical experience, current economic and market conditions, and other assumptions management believes are reasonable. We believe that our most critical accounting policies which are significant to our consolidated financial statements, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, are those described in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" under the section captioned "Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Part II, Item 7, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021. There have been no material changes to these critical accounting policies since the end of fiscal 2020 that warrant disclosure.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1, under the headings Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted, in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for details.

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates has not changed materially from our exposure as disclosed in Part II, Item 7A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021.

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of April 3, 2021. The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of April 3, 2021, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of April 3, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the fiscal quarter ended April 3, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A – Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021.

Item 6 – Exhibits

Exhibit Number
						Description of Exhibit
10.1*						Summary of non-employee director compensation of the Registrant.
31.1						Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of the Registrant Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2						Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32						Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS						Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

*			Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

			KADANT INC.
Date: May 12, 2021			/s/ Michael J. McKenney
			Michael J. McKenney
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer)

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