Health score, competitive moat, risk signals, and key metrics at a glance.
Kadant Inc. supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling. The Flow Control segment develops, manufactures, and markets fluid-handling systems, equipment, and integrated technologies, such as rotary joints, syphons, Turbulator bars, expansion joints, and engineered steam and condensate systems, as well as doctor systems and holders, doctor blades, cleaning showers and fabric-conditioning systems, forming systems and wear surfaces, and water-filtration systems. The Industrial Processing segment provides ring and rotary debarkers, stranders, chippers, engineered knife systems, and industrial automation and control products. This segment also offers recycling and approach flow systems, virgin pulping process equipment, boiler cleaning technologies, and single and double-screw presses. The Material Handling segment provides vibratory and conveying equipment; individual components and equipment for baling recyclable and waste materials; and fiber-based products. It sells its products and services through direct sales, independent sales agents, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Thermo Fibertek, Inc. and changed its name to Kadant Inc. in July 2001. Kadant Inc. was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts.
Competitive analysis based on 59 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are positive at ~15.5% on average, but show some variability — pricing power may be sensitive to market conditions.
ROE is positive at ~12.1% on average, adequate but below the threshold typically associated with wide moats.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 59 quarters
Operating margins declined 8.6% — watch for continued compression, which may signal competitive or cost pressure.
FCF covers net income by 1.4x on average — earnings are well-supported by cash generation.
D/E ratio is 0.4 — conservative capital structure with low financial risk.
Revenue is stable or growing over recent quarters — demand appears durable.
Free cash flow is consistently positive — the business self-funds without external capital reliance.
Share count is stable — no significant dilution or buyback activity.
as of April 2026
Revenue, EBITDA, operating income, net income, EPS, and shares
Gross, EBITDA, operating, and net margin trends
P/E, P/S, P/B, EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, and earnings yield
Total assets, cash, debt, book value, and leverage
Operating cash flow, free cash flow, FCF margin, and earnings quality
Free cash flow is consistently positive and growing — a hallmark of a capital-light business that can self-fund growth.
Revenue shows resilience with 4 of 7 quarters posting growth — demand is generally stable but has seen some soft patches.
