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Kadant Inc (KAI)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
06/30/2025: KAI (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
1 Year Target Price $335
1 Year Target Price $335
1 | Strong Buy |
1 | Buy |
2 | Hold |
0 | Sell |
0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 6.24% | Avg. Invested days 36 | Today’s Advisory WEAK BUY |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 3.69B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 33.32 | 1Y Target Price 335 |
Price to earnings Ratio 33.32 | 1Y Target Price 335 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 4 | Beta 1.26 | 52 Weeks Range 281.30 - 429.05 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 281.30 - 429.05 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 0.43% | Basic EPS (TTM) 9.41 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 10.63% | Operating Margin (TTM) 15.02% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 7.71% | Return on Equity (TTM) 13.32% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 33.32 | Forward PE 34.97 | Enterprise Value 3877283072 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.54 |
Enterprise Value 3877283072 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.54 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.72 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 17.5 | Shares Outstanding 11775900 | Shares Floating 11645500 |
Shares Outstanding 11775900 | Shares Floating 11645500 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.86 | Percent Institutions 123.13 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 2 | Target Price 335 | Buy 1 | Strong Buy 1 |
Buy 1 | Strong Buy 1 | ||
Hold 2 | Sell - | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Kadant Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
Kadant Inc. was founded in 1991 as a spin-off from Thermo Electron Corporation. It has grown through acquisitions and organic growth, focusing on engineered systems and components used in industries such as paper, recycling, and other process industries.
Core Business Areas
- Flow Control Systems: Designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products and systems used to control the flow of fluids, such as rotary joints, siphon systems, and doctoring systems.
- Industrial Processing: Provides equipment and systems for processing various materials, including recycled paper, wood, and food products. This segment includes fiber processing, screening, and stock preparation systems.
Leadership and Structure
Kadant is led by Jeffrey Powell (President and CEO) and has a structured organization with various departments responsible for different business areas, including engineering, sales, and operations. A board of directors provides oversight and strategic guidance.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Doctoring Systems: Doctor blades and systems used in paper mills to remove excess liquids and control sheet formation. Kadant is a significant player in this market. Competitors include BTG Group and Aikawa Group.
- Fiber Processing Systems: Equipment used in recycling plants to process recovered paper fibers. Kadant competes with companies like Andritz and Valmet in this space.
- Fluid Handling Systems: Rotary joints, siphon systems, and other fluid handling components. Key competitors include Deublin and Maier.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The industries Kadant serves, such as paper and recycling, are experiencing fluctuating demand due to economic conditions and changing consumer habits (e.g., decreased paper consumption, increased demand for recycled packaging).
Positioning
Kadant positions itself as a provider of innovative and reliable solutions, with a focus on improving efficiency and reducing operating costs for its customers. Its competitive advantages include its strong reputation, established customer base, and specialized product offerings.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for Kadant's products and services is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, encompassing various industries. Kadant aims to capture a larger share of this TAM through continued innovation, strategic acquisitions, and expansion into new markets.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Strong brand reputation
- Diverse product portfolio
- Established customer base
- Global presence
- Focus on innovation
Weaknesses
- Dependence on cyclical industries
- Exposure to currency fluctuations
- Potential for supply chain disruptions
- Higher operating costs due to high level of R&D
Opportunities
- Expanding into emerging markets
- Developing new products and services
- Acquiring complementary businesses
- Capitalizing on growing demand for sustainable solutions
Threats
- Economic downturns
- Increased competition
- Changing regulations
- Technological advancements rendering existing products obsolete
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Valmet (VALMT.HE)
- Andritz (ANDR.VI)
- BTG Group (Private)
Competitive Landscape
Kadant competes on technology, service, and price. Its competitive advantages include a diversified product portfolio and a strong global presence. But its R&D is higher than most of its competitors.
Major Acquisitions
BETA LaserMike
- Year: 2014
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 110
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Kadant's product portfolio into non-woven technology and measurement and control.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Kadant's growth has been a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Financial reports should be viewed.
Future Projections: Analyst estimates are available from various financial websites and research reports. Generally positive outlook.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include acquisitions, new product development, and expansion into new markets.
Summary
Kadant is a well-established company with a diverse product portfolio and a strong global presence. While dependent on cyclical industries, it has grown through acquisitions and innovation. Kadant needs to monitor for increased competition and economic downturns. They need to be careful with high R&D costs.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Kadant Inc. Investor Relations
- SEC Filings
- Market Research Reports
- Yahoo Finance
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market conditions and company performance can change rapidly. Always conduct thorough due diligence before making any investment decisions.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Kadant Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Westford, MA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1992-11-03 | President, CEO & Director Mr. Jeffrey L. Powell | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Specialty Industrial Machinery | Full time employees 3500 | Website https://www.kadant.com |
Full time employees 3500 | Website https://www.kadant.com |
Kadant Inc. supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide. It operates in three segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling. The Flow Control segment develops, manufactures, and markets fluid-handling systems and equipment, such as rotary joints, syphons, turbulator bars, expansion joints, and engineered steam and condensate systems; and doctoring, cleaning, and filtration systems and related consumables consisting of doctor systems and holders, doctor blades, cleaning shower and fabric-conditioning systems, forming systems and wear surfaces, and water-filtration systems. The Industrial Processing segment develops, manufactures, and markets ring and rotary debarkers, stranders, chippers, engineered knife systems, industrial automation and control, recycling and approach flow systems, and virgin pulping process equipment for use in the packaging, tissue, wood products, and alternative fuel industries. The Material Handling segment offers conveying and vibratory equipment, and baling products; and manufactures and sells biodegradable and absorbent granules for carriers in agricultural, home lawn and garden, professional lawn, turf, and ornamental applications, as well as for oil and grease absorption. The company markets and sells its products, services, and systems 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.
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