Consolidated Statement of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues (Note 11)	$ 390,107	$ 402,127	$ 344,499
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenues	209,982	223,754	186,795
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	122,814	129,319	117,581
Research and development expenses	6,677	6,163	6,717
Restructuring costs and other income, net (Note 8)	515	805	103
Total Costs and Operating Expenses	339,988	360,041	311,196
Operating Income	50,119	42,086	33,303
Interest Income	200	398	623
Interest Expense	(948)	(966)	(900)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Provision for Income Taxes	49,371	41,518	33,026
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 5)	14,762	12,447	9,316
Income from Continuing Operations	34,609	29,071	23,710
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation (net of income tax (expense) benefit of $(43), $14, and $34 in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively)	74	(23)	(62)
Net Income	34,683	29,048	23,648
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(294)	(389)	(229)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	34,389	28,659	23,419
Amounts Attributable to Kadant:
Income from Continuing Operations	34,315	28,682	23,481
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation	74	(23)	(62)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$ 34,389	$ 28,659	$ 23,419
Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Kadant (Note 12)
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.16	$ 2.61	$ 2.11
Diluted (in dollars per share)	3.09	2.56	2.07
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant (Note 12)
Basic (in dollars per share)	3.16	2.61	2.10
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.10	$ 2.56	$ 2.07
Weighted Average Shares (Note 12)
Basic (in shares)	10,867	10,988	11,153
Diluted (in shares)	11,094	11,210	11,340
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68	$ 0.60	$ 0.50