UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549
         --------------------------------------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 15, 2006


                                   KADANT INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



Delaware                           1-11406                            52-1762325
(State or Other            (Commission File Number)                (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction                                                 Identification No.)
of Incorporation)

One Acton Place
Acton, Massachusetts                                                       01720
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)

                                 (978) 776-2000
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code

                                 Not Applicable
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

     [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
         Act (17 CFR 230.425)

     [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
         Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

     [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



KADANT INC. Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On February 15, 2006, Kadant Inc. (the "Company") announced its financial results for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99) shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (c) Exhibit The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished and not filed. Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit ------- ---------------------- 99 Press Release issued by the Company on February 15, 2006. 2

> KADANT INC. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. KADANT INC. Date: February 15, 2006 By: /s/ Thomas M. O'Brien ----------------------------- Thomas M. O'Brien Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 3

                                                                      Exhibit 99
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
[LOGO]
NEWS
KADANT
AN ACCENT ON INNOVATION
One Acton Place, Suite 202
Acton, MA 01720

Investor contact: Thomas M. O'Brien, 978-776-2000
Media contact: GreatPoint Communications, 978-392-6866

            Kadant Reports 2005 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
                      and Gives Financial Guidance for 2006

ACTON, Mass., February 15, 2006 - Kadant Inc. (NYSE:KAI) reported revenues of
$63.1 million from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2005, an
increase of $17.2 million over $45.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Revenues in the 2005 period included $19.1 million from Kadant Johnson, and
currency translation lowered revenues by $0.5 million. Operating income from
continuing operations in the 2005 quarter was $2.1 million (including $0.6
million from Kadant Johnson), versus an operating loss of $7.5 million in 2004,
due primarily to $9.5 million of restructuring charges in that period. Income
from continuing operations (after-tax) was $1.0 million in the 2005 quarter, or
$.07 of diluted earnings per share (EPS), versus a loss of $4.8 million, or $.34
of diluted EPS, a year ago, which included restructuring charges that lowered
EPS by $.44. Including the discontinued composite building products business,
net income in the 2005 period was $0.4 million, or $.03 per diluted share,
versus a loss of $5.3 million, or $.38 per diluted share, in 2004. The
composites business was sold in October 2005.

         For full-year 2005, Kadant reported revenues of $243.7 million from
continuing operations, a $48.7 million increase over $195.0 million for
full-year 2004. The 2005 revenues included $47.9 million from Kadant Johnson and
$2.0 million from the favorable effect of currency translation. Operating income
from continuing operations in 2005 was $14.6 million (including $3.1 million
from Kadant Johnson), versus $6.8 million in 2004. Income from continuing
operations (after-tax) was $9.9 million in 2005, or $.70 of diluted EPS, versus
$5.8 million, or $.40 per diluted share, in 2004. Including the discontinued
composite building products business, net income in 2005 was $6.9 million, or
$.49 per diluted share, versus $0.7 million, or $.05 per diluted share, in 2004.

         "Our results for the fourth quarter came in generally as we expected,
that is, weaker than the performance we were able to deliver during the first
three quarters in spite of challenges in some of our geographic markets," said
William A. Rainville, chairman and chief executive officer of Kadant. "Our
quarterly bookings, however, set an all-time record, increasing 60 percent over
last year. Even without Kadant Johnson, bookings in the quarter rose 19 percent,
due primarily to orders for stock-preparation equipment supplied by our
operations in North America and Europe. In addition, high energy costs in the
U.S. are driving demand for Kadant Johnson's efficient dryer and fluid-handling
technologies. Our year-end backlog rose 29 percent over the third quarter of
2005 to $54 million, positioning Kadant for a strong start in 2006.

         "For all of 2005, we are pleased to report that we generated $23
million of EBITDA, including $7.2 million from Kadant Johnson. We also generated
more than $19 million in cash flow from operations, for a 47 percent increase
over last year. (EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that excludes certain
items detailed at the end of this press release under the heading "Use of
Non-GAAP Financial Measures.")

                                     -more-

"Our solid balance sheet allowed us to make significant investments in the company during 2005 that we believe will lead to earnings growth this year, most notably our acquisition of Kadant Johnson and our restructuring actions in France and North America. In addition, in January 2006, we signed an agreement to acquire a Chinese producer of stock-preparation equipment that, if completed, would expand our product line and add a low-cost manufacturing base. We also spent $3.7 million in cash during the fourth quarter to repurchase our stock, for a total investment of $9.1 million in stock buybacks in 2005. Since May 2004, we have bought more than $19 million of our common stock. "Based on the actions we took during 2005, and our strong bookings at the end of the year, for full-year 2006 we expect to achieve GAAP diluted EPS of $1.15 to $1.25 from continuing operations, on revenues of $290 to $300 million. For the first quarter of 2006, we expect to report GAAP diluted EPS of $.17 to $.19, on revenues of $70 to $72 million." Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, and adjusted operating income, all of which exclude certain non-recurring items. In addition, we exclude certain acquisition-related charges from EBITDA, such as charges associated with the sale of inventory that has been revalued for the acquired profit in inventory at the Kadant Johnson acquisition date. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, are of a non-recurring nature. We believe that the inclusion of such measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our underlying operations and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts Kadant's performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts. We also believe this information is responsive to investors' requests and gives them an additional measure of Kadant's performance. We use these non-GAAP measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as the basis for measuring our underlying operating performance and comparing such performance to that of prior periods or forecasts and to the performance of our competitors. Such measures are also used by us in our financial and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for the results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release have limitations associated with their use as compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, in that they may be different from, and therefore not comparable to, similar measures used by other companies. Each of these non-GAAP measures included in this press release excludes: - Costs and tax effects associated with restructuring activities, primarily related to reducing headcount in connection with our Kadant Lamort restructuring in France. We believe that the costs related to these restructuring activities are not indicative of our normal operating costs based on their past pattern of occurrence, materiality, and unusual nature and complexity. EBITDA also excludes: - Certain gains/losses which are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any regularity or predictability and that we believe are not indicative of our normal operating gains and losses. - Charges related to the sale of inventories revalued at the Kadant Johnson acquisition date, as we believe these charges are not indicative of our normal operating costs. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in the accompanying tables. -more- 2

> Financial Highlights (unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $ 63,084 $ 45,931 $ 243,713 $ 194,966 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Costs and Operating Expenses: Cost of revenues 38,820 29,191 149,744 119,200 Selling, general and administrative expenses 20,959 13,901 74,617 56,334 Research and development expenses 1,277 801 4,887 3,077 Restructuring costs (40) 9,515 (118) 9,515 ----------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------- 61,016 53,408 229,130 188,126 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Operating Income (Loss) 2,068 (7,477) 14,583 6,840 Interest Income 317 465 1,505 1,468 Interest Expense (813) (9) (2,114) (23) ----------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------- Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest 1,572 (7,021) 13,974 8,285 Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 549 (2,252) 3,925 2,524 Minority Interest Expense 26 - 184 8 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations 997 (4,769) 9,865 5,753 Loss from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax (a) (580) (555) (2,988) (5,099) ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Net Income (Loss) $ 417 $ (5,324) $ 6,877 $ 654 ================= =============== ================ =============== Earnings (Loss) per Share Basic Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations $ .07 $ (.34) $ .71 $ .41 Loss from Discontinued Operation (.04) (.04) (.21) (.36) ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Net Income (Loss) $ .03 $ (.38) $ .50 $ .05 ================= =============== ================ =============== Diluted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations $ .07 $ (.34) $ .70 $ .40 Loss from Discontinued Operation (.04) (.04) (.21) (.35) ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Net Income (Loss) $ .03 $ (.38) $ .49 $ .05 ================= =============== ================ =============== Weighted Average Shares Basic 13,638 13,868 13,829 14,071 ================= =============== ================= =============== Diluted 13,857 13,868 14,104 14,398 ================= =============== ================= =============== Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Adjusted Net Income and Diluted EPS December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Income (Loss) $ 417 $ (5,324) $ 6,877 $ 654 Loss from Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax 580 555 2,988 5,099 Restructuring Costs, Net of Tax (b) - 6,090 - 6,090 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Adjusted Net Income (c) $ 997 $ 1,321 $ 9,865 $ 11,843 ================= =============== ================ =============== Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share $ .03 $ (.38) $ .49 $ .05 Loss from Discontinued Operation .04 .04 .21 .35 Restructuring Costs (b) - .44 - .42 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share (c) $ .07 $ .10 $ .70 $ .82 ================= =============== ================ =============== -more- 3

> Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Business Segment Information (d) December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues: Pulp and Papermaking Systems $ 59,637 $ 44,154 $ 232,615 $ 188,320 Other 3,447 1,777 11,098 6,646 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- $ 63,084 $ 45,931 $ 243,713 $ 194,966 ================= =============== ================ =============== Gross Profit Margin: Pulp and Papermaking Systems 40% 37% 39% 39% Other 20% 33% 28% 36% ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- 38% 36% 39% 39% ================= =============== ================= =============== Operating Income (Loss): Pulp and Papermaking Systems $ 3,209 $ (6,309) $ 18,685 $ 11,781 Corporate and Other (1,141) (1,168) (4,102) (4,941) ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- --------------- $ 2,068 $ (7,477) $ 14,583 $ 6,840 ================= =============== ================ =============== Adjusted Operating Income: Pulp and Papermaking Systems (b) $ 3,209 $ 3,206 $ 18,685 $ 21,296 Corporate and Other (1,141) (1,168) (4,102) (4,941) ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- $ 2,068 $ 2,038 $ 14,583 $ 16,355 ================= =============== ================ =============== Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Business Segment Information (d) (continued) December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookings from Continuing Operations: Pulp and Papermaking Systems $ 71,358 $ 45,438 $ 240,900 $ 185,870 Other 4,701 2,031 12,230 6,786 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- $ 76,059 $ 47,469 253,130 $ 192,656 ================= =============== ================ =============== Capital Expenditures from Continuing Operations: Pulp and Papermaking Systems $ 1,190 $ 842 $ 2,683 $ 1,968 Corporate and Other 136 18 562 221 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- $ 1,326 $ 860 $ 3,245 $ 2,189 ================= =============== ================ =============== Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------ Cash Flow and Other Data from Continuing Operations December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Provided by Operations $ 7,913 $ 6,630 $ 19,063 $ 12,933 Depreciation and Amortization Expense 2,064 870 6,931 3,604 Balance Sheet Data December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 40,822 $ 82,089 Short- and Long-term Debt 55,500 - Shareholders' Investment 207,625 212,461 -more- 4

> Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- EBITDA Data December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 31, 2005 January 1, 2005 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Operating Income (Loss) $ 2,068 $ (7,477) $ 14,583 $ 6,840 Depreciation and Amortization 2,064 870 6,931 3,604 Restructuring Costs (b) - 9,515 - 9,515 Acquired Profit in Inventory (e) 455 - 1,081 - Royalty Gain - - - (970) Gain on Sale of Subsidiary - - - (149) ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- EBITDA $ 4,587 $ 2,908 $ 22,595 $ 18,840 ================= =============== ================ =============== Pulp and Papermaking Systems Operating Income (Loss) $ 3,209 $ (6,309) $ 18,685 $ 11,781 Depreciation and Amortization 1,841 766 6,227 3,136 Restructuring Costs (b) - 9,515 - 9,515 Acquired Profit in Inventory (e) 455 - 1,081 - Royalty Gain - - - (970) Gain on Sale of Subsidiary - - - (149) ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- EBITDA $ 5,505 $ 3,972 $ 25,993 $ 23,313 ================= ================ ================ =============== Corporate and Other Operating Loss $ (1,141) $ (1,168) $ (4,102) $ (4,941) Depreciation and Amortization 223 104 704 468 ----------------- --------------- ---------------- --------------- EBITDA $ (918) $ (1,064) $ (3,398) $ (4,473) ================= =============== ================ =============== (a) Includes warranty provisions of $918 and $789 in the three-month periods and $5,525 and $6,696 in the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2005 and January 1, 2005, respectively. (b) Represents pre-tax restructuring costs of $9,515 in the three- and twelve-month periods ended January 1, 2005, or $.44 and $.42 per diluted share (after-tax), respectively, which have been excluded to derive adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating income, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). (c) Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share include: Twelve-month period ended December 31, 2005: - a tax benefit of $965, or $.07 per diluted share, including $882 received from our former parent company under a tax agreement and $83 in reductions of tax reserves. Twelve-month period ended January 1, 2005: - a pre-tax gain of $970, or $.04 per diluted share (after-tax), which resulted from renegotiating a series of agreements with one of our licensees. - reductions of tax reserves of $581, or $.04 per diluted share, and - a pre-tax gain on the sale of subsidiary of $149, or $.01 per diluted share (after-tax). (d) "Other" includes the results from the Fiber-based Products business and Kadant Johnson's Casting Products business. (e) Acquired profit in inventory relates to the charge associated with the sale of inventory that was revalued at the Kadant Johnson acquisition date. Conference Call Kadant will hold its earnings conference call on Thursday, February 16, 2006, at 11 a.m. Eastern time. To listen, call 800-709-2159 within the U.S., or 973-582-2810 outside the U.S. You can also listen to the call live on the Web by visiting www.kadant.com and clicking on "Investors." An audio archive of the call will be available on our Web site until March 17, 2006. -more- 5

> About Kadant Kadant Inc. is a leading supplier to the global pulp and paper industry, with a range of products and services for improving efficiency and quality in pulp and paper production, including paper machine accessories, and systems for stock preparation, fluid handling, and water management. Our fluid-handling products are also used to optimize production in the steel, rubber, plastics, food, and textile industries. In addition, we produce granules from papermaking byproducts for agricultural and lawn and garden applications. Kadant is based in Acton, Massachusetts, with approximately $244 million in revenues and 1,400 employees in 16 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com. The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including forward-looking statements about our expected future business and financial performance, demand for our products, consequences of actions taken to position the company for future growth, and the potential acquisition and benefits of acquiring a Chinese manufacturer of stock-preparation equipment, including our ability to complete this acquisition. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such statements are set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Kadant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 1, 2005. These include risks and uncertainties relating to our dependence on the pulp and paper industry; international sales and operations; competition; increases in our debt; restrictions in our credit agreement; our ability to successfully integrate Kadant Johnson; our acquisition strategy; our ability to complete the restructuring of our French subsidiary; retention of liabilities and warranty claims associated with composite building products manufactured prior to the sale of the business; availability of raw materials and exposure to commodity price fluctuations related to the manufacture of fiber-based products; protection of patents and proprietary rights; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; and anti-takeover provisions. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. ### 6