Kadant Authorizes Share Repurchase

WESTFORD, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Kadant Inc. (NYSE:KAI) announced today that its board of directors has
authorized the repurchase of up to $20 million of its equity securities
effective November 4, 2009 through November 4, 2010. Repurchases may be made in
public or private transactions, including under Securities Exchange Act Rule
10b-5-1 trading plans. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be at the
discretion of company management and will be based on market conditions and
other corporate considerations, including limitations contained in our credit
agreement entered into on February 13, 2008. The Company`s previous share
repurchase authorization expired in October 2009.

Kadant Inc. is a leading supplier to the global pulp and paper industry, with a
range of products and services for improving efficiency and quality in pulp and
paper production, including paper machine accessories and systems for stock
preparation, fluid handling, and water management. Our fluid-handling products
are also used to optimize production in the steel, rubber, plastics, food, and
textile industries. In addition, we produce granules from papermaking byproducts
for agricultural and lawn and garden applications. Kadant is based in Westford,
Massachusetts, with revenues of $329 million in 2008 and 1,600 employees in 16
countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com.

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 regarding any plans to repurchase our equity
securities. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those indicated by such statements are set forth under the
heading "Risk Factors" in Kadant`s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended July 4, 2009. These include risks and uncertainties relating to worldwide
and local economic conditions as well as the pulp and paper industry; our debt
obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement and compliance with covenants;
future restructurings; significance of sales and operation of manufacturing
facilities in China; international sales and operations; competition; soundness
of suppliers and customers; soundness of financial institutions; litigation and
warranty costs related to our discontinued operation; our acquisition strategy;
factors influencing our fiber-based products business; protection of patents and
proprietary rights; fluctuations in our share price; and anti-takeover
provisions. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Kadant Inc.
Investor contact:
Thomas M. O`Brien, 978-776-2000
or
Media contact:
Wes Martz, 269-278-1715

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