Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Kadant	$ 31,623	$ 33,575	$ 18,507
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	198	274	241
(Income) loss from discontinued operation	(743)	9	(98)
Income from continuing operations	31,078	33,858	18,650
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,384	7,936	7,228
Stock-based compensation expense	4,766	3,934	2,754
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(214)	(2,294)	(1,016)
(Benefit) provision for losses on accounts receivable	(14)	1,249	455
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(4,868)	(1,886)	1,249
Other items, net	1,107	(809)	671
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	1,157	(9,909)	(13,506)
Unbilled contract costs and fees	236	(1,753)	2,209
Inventories	9,156	(6,966)	(4,001)
Other current assets	(696)	(1,897)	(2,235)
Accounts payable	(5,868)	4,469	6,250
Other current liabilities	(12,808)	9,330	11,755
Contributions to pension plan	(960)	(900)	(2,200)
Net cash provided by continuing operations	30,456	34,362	28,263
Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued operation	(1,348)	(47)	163
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,108	34,315	28,426
Investing Activities
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	85	(15,694)	(5,800)
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	(4,250)	(8,030)	(3,408)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	803	2,360	2,916
Dividend paid to minority shareholder	0	(579)	0
Other, net	(3)	58	(60)
Net cash used in continuing operations for investing activities	(3,365)	(21,885)	(6,352)
Financing Activities
Purchases of Company common stock	(14,491)	(16,088)	(4,407)
Repayments of short- and long-term obligations	(10,375)	(16,017)	(500)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term obligations	5,000	5,000	0
Change in restricted cash	700	(700)	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	(644)	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of Company common stock	358	390	345
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards	132	371	26
Net cash used in continuing operations for financing activities	(19,320)	(27,044)	(4,536)
Exchange Rate Effect on Cash from Continuing Operations	1,180	(241)	(1,409)
Change in Cash from Discontinued Operation	0	0	1
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents from Continuing Operations	7,603	(14,855)	16,130
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	46,950	61,805	45,675
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 54,553	$ 46,950	$ 61,805