Kadant Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) reported its Q4 and fiscal year 2024 results. Q4 revenue increased 8% to $258 million, while net income decreased 12% to $24 million. Q4 GAAP EPS fell 12% to $2.04, and adjusted EPS decreased 7% to $2.25.

For fiscal year 2024, the company achieved record results with revenue up 10% to $1.05 billion, though net income decreased 4% to $112 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased 14% to a record $230 million, representing 21.8% of revenue. Bookings increased 7% to a record $981 million.

Looking ahead to 2025, Kadant expects revenue between $1.040 to $1.065 billion and adjusted EPS of $9.70 to $10.05. The guidance includes a negative effect from foreign currency translation compared to 2024, impacting revenue by $23 million and adjusted EPS by $0.32.

Positive

• Record revenue of $1.05 billion in FY2024, up 10%
• Record adjusted EBITDA of $230 million, up 14%
• Record adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.8%
• Record bookings of $981 million, up 7%
• Gross margin improved to 44.3% from 43.5%

Negative

• Q4 net income decreased 12% to $24 million
• Q4 operating cash flow decreased 12% to $52 million
• FY2024 net income decreased 4% to $112 million
• Organic revenue decreased 2% in FY2024
• Organic bookings decreased 5% in FY2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

Kadant's FY2024 results reveal a company effectively leveraging acquisitions to drive growth while navigating challenging market conditions. The headline 10% revenue growth to $1.05 billion masks two critical dynamics: a 2% organic revenue decline offset by a substantial 12% contribution from acquisitions.

The company's operational execution remains strong, evidenced by expanding margins - gross margin improved to 44.3% from 43.5%, while adjusted EBITDA margin reached a record 21.8%. This margin expansion during a period of integration and market headwinds demonstrates robust operational management and successful acquisition integration.

Segment analysis reveals varying performance: Flow Control maintained strong margins at 51.4%, while Industrial Processing showed resilience with 39.9% margins despite market pressures. The 10% increase in Q4 bookings to $241 million suggests improving market conditions, though organic bookings declined 3%.

Looking ahead to 2025, management's guidance of $1.040-1.065 billion in revenue reflects cautious optimism but includes a $23 million currency headwind. The projected adjusted EPS of $9.70-10.05 suggests margin pressure, likely from integration costs and market challenges.

The company's strong cash flow generation, with $134.3 million in free cash flow for 2024, provides financial flexibility for continued strategic acquisitions and operational investments, though the 6% decline in operating cash flow warrants monitoring.

WESTFORD, Mass., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 28, 2024.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

• Revenue increased 8% to $258 million
• Gross margin was 43.4%
• Net income decreased 12% to $24 million
• GAAP EPS decreased 12% to $2.04
• Adjusted EPS decreased 7% to $2.25
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to $52 million and represented 20.3% of revenue
• Operating cash flow decreased 12% to $52 million
• Bookings increased 10% to $241 million

Fiscal Year Financial Highlights

• Revenue increased 10% to a record $1.05 billion
• Gross margin was 44.3%
• Net income decreased 4% to $112 million
• GAAP EPS decreased 4% to $9.48
• Adjusted EPS increased 2% to a record $10.28
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 14% to a record $230 million and represented a record 21.8% of revenue
• Operating cash flow decreased 6% to $155 million
• Bookings increased 7% to a record $981 million

Note: Percent changes above are based on comparison to the prior year period. All references to earnings per share (EPS) are to our EPS as calculated on a diluted basis. Free cash flow, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and changes in organic revenue are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items as detailed later in this press release under the heading “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Management Commentary
“The fourth quarter was a good finish to a record-setting year,” said Jeffrey L. Powell, president and chief executive officer of Kadant Inc. “Excellent execution by our businesses led to solid margin performance and strong cash flows. Despite continued economic headwinds in many regions, industrial activity was relatively stable both year-over-year and sequentially.

“Our recent acquisitions made strong contributions not only to our fourth quarter performance, but to our full-year 2024 results, including record revenue of $1.05 billion, record adjusted EPS of $10.28 per share, and record adjusted EBITDA of $230 million at a record 21.8 percent of revenue. Overall, we achieved solid performance across our key financial metrics.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 Compared to 2023
Revenue increased eight percent to $258.0 million compared to $238.7 million in 2023. Organic revenue decreased five percent, which excludes a 14 percent increase from acquisitions and a one percent decrease from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation. Gross margin was 43.4 percent, including a 40 basis point decrease from acquisition-related costs, compared to 42.7 percent in 2023.

Net income was $24.0 million, decreasing 12 percent compared to $27.4 million in 2023. GAAP EPS decreased 12 percent to $2.04 compared to $2.33 in 2023. Adjusted EPS decreased seven percent to $2.25 compared to $2.41 in 2023. Adjusted EPS excludes $0.16 of acquisition-related costs and $0.06 of other costs in 2024. Adjusted EPS excludes $0.10 of acquisition costs, $0.04 of other income, and $0.02 of restructuring costs in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA increased eight percent to $52.4 million compared to $48.5 million in 2023 and was 20.3 percent of revenue in both periods. Operating cash flow decreased 12 percent to $51.9 million compared to $59.2 million in 2023. Free cash flow decreased six percent to $46.3 million compared to $49.5 million in 2023.

Bookings increased 10 percent to $240.6 million compared to $218.0 million in 2023. Organic bookings decreased three percent, which excludes a 14 percent increase from acquisitions and a one percent decrease from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation.

Fiscal Year 2024 Compared to 2023
Revenue increased 10 percent to a record $1.053 billion compared to $957.7 million in 2023. Organic revenue decreased two percent, which excludes a 12 percent increase from acquisitions. Gross margin was 44.3 percent, including a 40 basis point decrease from acquisition-related costs, compared to 43.5 percent in 2023.

Net income was $111.6 million, decreasing four percent compared to $116.1 million in 2023. GAAP EPS decreased four percent to $9.48 compared to $9.90 in 2023. Adjusted EPS increased two percent to a record $10.28 compared to $10.04 in 2023. Adjusted EPS excludes $0.74 of acquisition-related costs and $0.06 of other costs in 2024. Adjusted EPS excludes $0.10 of acquisition costs and $0.04 of restructuring costs in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 14 percent to a record $229.7 million and represented a record 21.8 percent of revenue compared to $201.3 million and 21.0 percent of revenue in the prior year. Operating cash flow decreased six percent to $155.3 million compared to $165.5 million in 2023. Free cash flow was $134.3 million compared to $133.7 million in 2023.

Bookings increased seven percent to a record $981.1 million compared to $917.4 million in 2023. Organic bookings decreased five percent, which excludes a 13 percent increase from acquisitions and a one percent decrease from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation.

Summary and Outlook
“As we look ahead to the first quarter of 2025 and the full year, project activity is looking more favorable and demand for aftermarket parts has been stable as we entered the year,” continued Mr. Powell. “We expect an increase in demand for our capital equipment products benefiting our revenue in the second half of 2025. Despite macroeconomic uncertainty, we remain committed to maximizing the value we create for our customers and shareholders while accelerating our internal initiatives that have proven to drive value across our operations. For 2025, we expect revenue of $1.040 to $1.065 billion, GAAP EPS of $9.63 to $9.98 and, after excluding $0.07 of acquisition-related costs, adjusted EPS of $9.70 to $10.05. The 2025 guidance includes a negative effect from foreign currency translation compared to 2024, which is lowering revenue by $23 million and adjusted EPS by $0.32. For the first quarter of 2025, we expect revenue of $235 to $242 million, GAAP EPS of $1.81 to $2.01 and, after excluding $0.04 of acquisition-related costs, adjusted EPS of $1.85 to $2.05. Our 2025 guidance does not include any estimates related to the impact of the newly issued or proposed tariffs by the U.S. government.”

Conference Call
Kadant will hold a webcast with a slide presentation for investors on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year financial performance, as well as future expectations. To listen to the call live and view the webcast, go to the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at kadant.com. Participants interested in joining the call’s live question and answer session are required to register by clicking here or selecting the Q&A link on our website to receive a dial-in number and unique PIN. It is recommended that you join the call 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the webcast presentation will be available on our website through March 14, 2025.

Prior to the call, our earnings release and the slides used in the webcast presentation will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be available at sec.gov. After the webcast, Kadant will post its updated general investor presentation incorporating the fourth quarter and full year results on its website at kadant.com under the “Investors” section.

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 increases or decreases in revenue excluding the effect of acquisitions and foreign currency translation (organic revenue), adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, and free cash flow.

We use organic revenue to understand our trends and to forecast and evaluate our financial performance and compare revenue to prior periods. Organic revenue excludes revenue from acquisitions for the four quarterly reporting periods following the date of the acquisition and the effect of foreign currency translation. Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2024 included $33.1 million from acquisitions and an unfavorable foreign currency translation effect of $2.2 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Revenue in 2024 included $115.4 million from acquisitions and an unfavorable foreign currency translation effect of $4.6 million compared to 2023. Our other non-GAAP financial measures exclude amortization expense related to acquired profit in inventory and backlog, acquisition costs, restructuring and impairment costs, relocation costs, and other income or expense, as indicated. Collectively, these items are excluded as they are not indicative of our core operating results and are not comparable to other periods, which have differing levels of incremental costs, expenditures or income, or none at all. Additionally, we use free cash flow in order to provide insight on our ability to generate cash for acquisitions and debt repayments, as well as for other investing and financing activities.

We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our core business, operating results, or future outlook. We believe that the inclusion of such measures helps investors gain an understanding of our underlying operating performance and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts our performance, especially when comparing such results to previous 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. We also believe this information is responsive to investors' requests and gives them additional measures of our performance.

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 or cash flows 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 measures, in that they may be different from, and therefore not comparable to, similar measures used by other companies.

Fourth Quarter

Adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin exclude:

• Pre-tax amortization of acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $2.2 million in 2024.
• Pre-tax acquisition costs of $0.3 million in 2024 and $1.4 million in 2023.
• Pre-tax indemnification asset reversal of $0.3 million in 2024.
• Pre-tax restructuring and impairment costs of $0.3 million in 2023.
• Pre-tax other costs of $0.7 million in 2024 and other income of $0.7 million in 2023.
  

Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS exclude:

• After-tax amortization of acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $1.7 million ($2.2 million net of tax of $0.5 million) in 2024.
• After-tax acquisition costs of $0.2 million ($0.3 million net of tax of $0.1 million) in 2024 and $1.2 million ($1.4 million net of tax of $0.2 million) in 2023.
• After-tax restructuring and impairment costs of $0.2 million ($0.3 million net of tax of $0.1 million) in 2023.
• After-tax other costs of $0.7 million in 2024 and other income of $0.5 million ($0.7 million net of tax of $0.2 million) in 2023.

Free cash flow is calculated as operating cash flow less:

• Capital expenditures of $5.6 million in 2024 and $9.8 million in 2023.
  

Fiscal Year

Adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin exclude:

• Pre-tax amortization of acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $8.4 million in 2024.
• Pre-tax acquisition costs of $2.9 million in 2024 and $1.4 million in 2023.
• Pre-tax indemnification asset reversal of $0.2 million in 2024 and $0.1 million in 2023.
• Pre-tax restructuring and impairment costs of $0.8 million in 2023.
• Pre-tax other costs of $0.7 million in 2024.
  

Adjusted net income and adjusted EPS exclude:

• After-tax amortization of acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $6.4 million ($8.4 million net of tax of $2.0 million) in 2024.
• After-tax acquisition costs of $2.3 million ($2.9 million net of tax of $0.6 million) in 2024 and $1.2 million ($1.4 million net of tax of $0.2 million) in 2023.
• After-tax restructuring and impairment costs of $0.5 million ($0.8 million net of tax of $0.3 million) in 2023.
• After-tax other costs of $0.7 million in 2024.

Free cash flow is calculated as operating cash flow less:

• Capital expenditures of $21.0 million in 2024 and $31.9 million in 2023.
  

Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in this press release.

Financial Highlights (unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
Consolidated Statement of Income	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Revenue	$	258,030			$	238,679			$	1,053,384			$	957,672
Costs and Operating Expenses:
Cost of revenue		146,170				136,695				587,236				541,366
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		70,568				59,823				279,920				236,264
Research and development expenses		3,697				3,460				14,318				13,562
Other costs (income)		658				(320	)			658				723
		221,093				199,658				882,132				791,915
Operating Income		36,937				39,021				171,252				165,757
Interest Income		529				705				1,915				1,758
Interest Expense		(4,642	)			(1,676	)			(20,028	)			(8,398	)
Other Expense, Net		(21	)			(39	)			(69	)			(101	)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes		32,803				38,011				153,070				159,016
Provision for Income Taxes		8,706				10,449				40,516				42,210
Net Income		24,097				27,562				112,554				116,806
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests		(65	)			(166	)			(956	)			(737	)
Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$	24,032			$	27,396			$	111,598			$	116,069
Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant:
Basic	$	2.05			$	2.34			$	9.51			$	9.92
Diluted	$	2.04			$	2.33			$	9.48			$	9.90
Weighted Average Shares:
Basic		11,745				11,707				11,739				11,700
Diluted		11,794				11,759				11,771				11,729

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS (a)	December 28, 2024				December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				December 30, 2023
Net Income and Diluted EPS Attributable to Kadant, as Reported	$	24,032			$	2.04			$	27,396			$	2.33
Adjustments, Net of Tax:
Acquired Profit in Inventory and Backlog Amortization		1,664				0.14				—				—
Acquisition Costs		194				0.02				1,194				0.10
Restructuring and Impairment Costs		—				—				226				0.02
Other Costs (Income) (g)		658				0.06				(489	)			(0.04	)
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS (a)	$	26,548			$	2.25			$	28,327			$	2.41
	Twelve Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 28, 2024				December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				December 30, 2023
Net Income and Diluted EPS Attributable to Kadant, as Reported	$	111,598			$	9.48			$	116,069			$	9.90
Adjustments, Net of Tax:
Acquired Profit in Inventory and Backlog Amortization		6,394				0.54				—				—
Acquisition Costs		2,320				0.20				1,194				0.10
Restructuring and Impairment Costs		—				—				521				0.04
Other Costs (Income) (g)		658				0.06				(32	)			—
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS (a)	$	120,970			$	10.28			$	117,752			$	10.04

	Three Months Ended												Increase (Decrease) Excluding Acquisitions and FX (a,b)
Revenue by Segment	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				Increase (Decrease)
Flow Control	$	94,684			$	87,403			$	7,281			$	609
Industrial Processing		101,428				86,974				14,454				1,087
Material Handling		61,918				64,302				(2,384	)			(13,268	)
	$	258,030			$	238,679			$	19,351			$	(11,572	)
Percentage of Parts and Consumables Revenue		67	%			60	%
	Twelve Months Ended								Increase				Increase (Decrease) Excluding Acquisitions and FX (a,b)
	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Flow Control	$	371,177			$	363,451			$	7,726			$	(5,444	)
Industrial Processing		432,738				354,703				78,035				20,396
Material Handling		249,469				239,518				9,951				(30,055	)
	$	1,053,384			$	957,672			$	95,712			$	(15,103	)
Percentage of Parts and Consumables Revenue		66	%			62	%
	Three Months Ended								Increase				Increase (Decrease) Excluding Acquisitions and FX (b)
Bookings by Segment	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Flow Control	$	87,436			$	85,354			$	2,082			$	(2,657	)
Industrial Processing		103,607				84,130				19,477				5,464
Material Handling		49,601				48,535				1,066				(9,032	)
	$	240,644			$	218,019			$	22,625			$	(6,225	)
Percentage of Parts and Consumables Bookings		70	%			64	%
	Twelve Months Ended								Increase				Decrease Excluding Acquisitions and FX (b)
	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Flow Control	$	365,185			$	361,216			$	3,969			$	(12,551	)
Industrial Processing		379,517				330,136				49,381				(7,008	)
Material Handling		236,399				226,017				10,382				(29,330	)
	$	981,101			$	917,369			$	63,732			$	(48,889	)
Percentage of Parts and Consumables Bookings		71	%			64	%

	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
Additional Segment Information	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Gross Margin:
Flow Control		51.4	%			50.4	%			52.5	%			51.8	%
Industrial Processing		39.9	%			41.2	%			41.8	%			40.2	%
Material Handling		36.7	%			34.4	%			36.3	%			35.7	%
Consolidated		43.4	%			42.7	%			44.3	%			43.5	%
Operating Income:
Flow Control	$	22,091			$	20,993			$	91,612			$	95,249
Industrial Processing		16,563				17,313				86,623				69,281
Material Handling		8,551				10,686				34,073				40,692
Corporate		(10,268	)			(9,971	)			(41,056	)			(39,465	)
	$	36,937			$	39,021			$	171,252			$	165,757
Adjusted Operating Income (a,c):
Flow Control	$	24,330			$	21,301			$	96,476			$	95,991
Industrial Processing		17,442				17,727				90,218				70,304
Material Handling		8,934				11,061				37,743				41,194
Corporate		(10,268	)			(9,971	)			(41,056	)			(39,465	)
	$	40,438			$	40,118			$	183,381			$	168,024
Capital Expenditures:
Flow Control	$	1,496			$	2,031			$	7,225			$	5,920
Industrial Processing		2,178				6,061				8,121				22,068
Material Handling		1,901				1,664				5,638				3,834
Corporate		—				—				21				28
	$	5,575			$	9,756			$	21,005			$	31,850
	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
Cash Flow and Other Data	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Operating Cash Flow	$	51,890			$	59,234			$	155,265			$	165,545
Capital Expenditures		(5,575	)			(9,756	)			(21,005	)			(31,850	)
Free Cash Flow (a)	$	46,315			$	49,478			$	134,260			$	133,695
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	$	13,082			$	8,380			$	49,587			$	33,297

Balance Sheet Data	December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Assets
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash	$	95,946			$	106,453
Accounts Receivable, net		142,462				133,929
Inventories		146,092				152,677
Contract Assets		18,408				8,366
Property, Plant, and Equipment, net		170,331				140,504
Intangible Assets		279,494				159,286
Goodwill		479,169				392,084
Other Assets		98,443				82,366
	$	1,430,345			$	1,175,665
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts Payable	$	51,062			$	42,104
Debt Obligations		286,504				109,086
Other Borrowings		2,023				1,789
Other Liabilities		232,628				246,446
Total Liabilities		572,217				399,425
Stockholders' Equity		858,128				776,240
	$	1,430,345			$	1,175,665

			Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation (a)			December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023				December 28, 2024				December 30, 2023
Consolidated
		Net Income Attributable to Kadant	$	24,032			$	27,396			$	111,598			$	116,069
		Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests		65				166				956				737
		Provision for Income Taxes		8,706				10,449				40,516				42,210
		Interest Expense, Net		4,113				971				18,113				6,640
		Other Expense, Net		21				39				69				101
		Operating Income		36,937				39,021				171,252				165,757
		Acquired Profit in Inventory Amortization (d)		1,124				—				5,189				—
		Acquired Backlog Amortization (e)		1,071				—				3,252				—
		Acquisition Costs		339				1,442				2,872				1,442
		Indemnification Asset Reversal (Provision), Net (f)		309				(25	)			158				102
		Restructuring and Impairment Costs		—				332				—				766
		Other Costs (Income) (g)		658				(652	)			658				(43	)
		Adjusted Operating Income (a)		40,438				40,118				183,381				168,024
		Depreciation and Amortization		12,011				8,380				46,335				33,297
		Adjusted EBITDA (a)	$	52,449			$	48,498			$	229,716			$	201,321
		Adjusted EBITDA Margin (a,h)		20.3	%			20.3	%			21.8	%			21.0	%
Flow Control
		Operating Income	$	22,091			$	20,993			$	91,612			$	95,249
		Acquired Profit in Inventory Amortization (d)		981				—				1,944				—
		Acquired Backlog Amortization (e)		618				—				1,500				—
		Acquisition Costs		18				—				655				—
		Indemnification Asset (Provision) Reversal, Net (f)		(36	)			(24	)			107				(24	)
		Restructuring and Impairment Costs		—				332				—				766
		Other Costs (g)		658				—				658				—
		Adjusted Operating Income (a)		24,330				21,301				96,476				95,991
		Depreciation and Amortization		2,874				2,262				10,435				9,047
		Adjusted EBITDA (a)	$	27,204			$	23,563			$	106,911			$	105,038
		Adjusted EBITDA Margin (a,h)		28.7	%			27.0	%			28.8	%			28.9	%
Industrial Processing
		Operating Income	$	16,563			$	17,313			$	86,623			$	69,281
		Acquired Profit in Inventory Amortization (d)		139				—				2,201				—
		Acquisition Costs		361				1,066				1,203				1,066
		Indemnification Asset Reversal (f)		379				—				191				—
		Other Income (g)		—				(652	)			—				(43	)
		Adjusted Operating Income (a)		17,442				17,727				90,218				70,304
		Depreciation and Amortization		5,149				2,975				20,607				11,798
		Adjusted EBITDA (a)	$	22,591			$	20,702			$	110,825			$	82,102
		Adjusted EBITDA Margin (a,h)		22.3	%			23.8	%			25.6	%			23.1	%
Material Handling
		Operating Income	$	8,551			$	10,686			$	34,073			$	40,692
		Acquired Profit in Inventory Amortization (d)		4				—				1,044				—
		Acquired Backlog Amortization (e)		453				—				1,752				—
		Acquisition Costs		(40	)			376				1,014				376
		Indemnification Asset (Provision) Reversal, Net (f)		(34	)			(1	)			(140	)			126
		Adjusted Operating Income (a)		8,934				11,061				37,743				41,194
		Depreciation and Amortization		3,975				3,125				15,244				12,379
		Adjusted EBITDA (a)	$	12,909			$	14,186			$	52,987			$	53,573
		Adjusted EBITDA Margin (a,h)		20.8	%			22.1	%			21.2	%			22.4	%
Corporate
		Operating Loss	$	(10,268	)		$	(9,971	)		$	(41,056	)		$	(39,465	)
		Depreciation and Amortization		13				18				49				73
		EBITDA (a)	$	(10,255	)		$	(9,953	)		$	(41,007	)		$	(39,392	)
(a)		Represents a non-GAAP financial measure.
(b)		Represents the increase (decrease) resulting from the exclusion of acquisitions and from the conversion of current period amounts reported in local currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of the prior period compared to the U.S. dollar amount reported in the prior period.
(c)		See reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure under "Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation."
(d)		Represents amortization expense within cost of revenue associated with acquired profit in inventory.
(e)		Represents intangible amortization expense associated with acquired backlog.
(f)		Represents the provision for or reversal of indemnification assets related to the establishment or release of tax reserves associated with uncertain tax positions.
(g)		Other costs (income) includes a $658 loss in the three and twelve months ended December 28, 2024 related to the recognition of a cumulative translation adjustment associated with the liquidation of a foreign subsidiary within the Flow Control segment. Other costs (income) includes $841 of other income ($631 net of tax) and $189 of relocation costs ($142 net of tax) in the three months ended December 30, 2023 and $841 of other income ($631 net of tax) and $798 of relocation costs ($599 net of tax) in the twelve months ended December 30, 2023 related to the sale and relocation of a manufacturing facility in China, all within the Industrial Processing segment.
(h)		Calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue in each period.

About Kadant
Kadant Inc. is a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing^®. The Company’s products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with approximately 3,500 employees in 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit kadant.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
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 future financial and operating performance, demand for our products, and economic and industry outlook. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Kadant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These include risks and uncertainties relating to adverse changes in global and local economic conditions; the variability and difficulty in accurately predicting revenues from large capital equipment and systems projects; our acquisition strategy; levels of residential construction activity; reductions by our wood processing customers of their capital spending or production of oriented strand board; changes to the global timber supply; development and use of digital media; cyclical economic conditions affecting the global mining industry; demand for coal, including economic and environmental risks associated with coal; failure of our information systems or breaches of data security and cybertheft; implementation of our internal growth strategy; supply chain constraints, inflationary pressure, price increases and shortages in raw materials; competition; changes to tax laws and regulations; our ability to successfully manage our manufacturing operations; disruption in production; future restructurings; loss of key personnel and effective succession planning; protection of intellectual property; climate change; adequacy of our insurance coverage; global operations; policies of the Chinese government; the variability and uncertainties in sales of capital equipment in China; currency fluctuations; changes to government regulations and policies around the world; compliance with government regulations and policies and compliance with laws; environmental laws and regulations; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations impacting the mining industry; our debt obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement and note purchase agreement; soundness of financial institutions; fluctuations in our share price; and anti-takeover provisions.

Contacts
Investor Contact Information:
Michael McKenney, 978-776-2000
IR@kadant.com

Media Contact Information:
Wes Martz, 269-278-1715
media@kadant.com

FAQ

What was Kadant's (KAI) revenue growth in Q4 2024?

Kadant's revenue increased 8% to $258 million in Q4 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

How much did Kadant's (KAI) net income decline in fiscal year 2024?

Kadant's net income decreased 4% to $111.6 million in fiscal year 2024 compared to $116.1 million in 2023.

What is Kadant's (KAI) revenue guidance for fiscal year 2025?

Kadant expects revenue of $1.040 to $1.065 billion for fiscal year 2025.

What was Kadant's (KAI) adjusted EBITDA margin in fiscal year 2024?

Kadant achieved a record adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.8% in fiscal year 2024.

How much did Kadant's (KAI) bookings increase in Q4 2024?

Kadant's bookings increased 10% to $240.6 million in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023.