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Kadant Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 narrowed, 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue up 15%, led by acquisitions: Revenue rose to $313.2 million from $271.6 million a year earlier; acquisitions were the main source of growth. Source
  • GAAP and adjusted EPS both rose: GAAP diluted EPS was $2.96 and adjusted diluted EPS was $3.64, which the company describes as a record. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 22.9%: Adjusted EBITDA rose 24 percent to $71.7 million, or 22.9 percent of revenue against 21.4 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Industrial Processing revenue up $37.0 million: Industrial Processing revenue was $143.4 million against $106.4 million; excluding acquisitions and currency the increase was $6.3 million. Flow Control rose $7.5 million; Material Handling fell $3.0 million. Source
  • Gross margin down 50 basis points: Gross margin was 44.7 percent against 45.2 percent a year earlier; the nine-month figure was 44.5 percent against 45.7 percent. Source
  • Bookings rose 22%, organic up 10%: Bookings were $291.1 million against $238.4 million; organic bookings rose 10 percent, with acquisitions adding 12 percent. Source
  • Operating cash flow up 33%: Operating cash flow was $62.9 million against $47.3 million; the company describes it as a record. Source

“We delivered an exceptional third quarter, achieving record results across multiple key financial metrics, including revenue, adjusted EPS, and cash flow”

Jeffrey L. Powell, chief executive officer of Kadant

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$1.195 to $1.210 billionNarrowed, low end up from $1.190 to $1.210 billion
GAAP EPS SourceFull year 2026$9.88 to $10.03Narrowed, low end up from $9.78 to $10.03
Adjusted EPS SourceFull year 2026$12.58 to $12.73Raised from $12.43 to $12.68
Adjusted EPS exclusions SourceFull year 2026$2.19 per share intangible amortization; $0.51 per share acquisition-related costs
Revenue SourceFourth quarter of 2026$287 to $302 millionNew
GAAP EPS SourceFourth quarter of 2026$2.01 to $2.16New
Adjusted EPS SourceFourth quarter of 2026$2.67 to $2.82New
Adjusted EPS exclusions SourceFourth quarter of 2026$0.55 per share intangible amortization; $0.11 per share acquisition-related costsNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: 2026 revenue range: low end raised from $1.190 billion to $1.195 billion; top end unchanged. Source
  • Guidance raised: 2026 GAAP diluted EPS range: low end raised from $9.78 to $9.88; top end unchanged. Source
  • Guidance raised: 2026 adjusted EPS range raised from $12.43 to $12.68 to $12.58 to $12.73. Source
  • New guidance: Fourth-quarter 2026 revenue, GAAP EPS and adjusted EPS ranges given in this release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue up 15%, led by acquisitions: Revenue rose to $313.2 million from $271.6 million a year earlier; acquisitions were the main source of growth. Source
  • Organic revenue rose four percent: Organic revenue, excluding acquisitions, rose four percent; acquisitions added 11 percent to revenue. Source
  • GAAP and adjusted EPS both rose: GAAP diluted EPS was $2.96 and adjusted diluted EPS was $3.64, which the company describes as a record. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 22.9%: Adjusted EBITDA rose 24 percent to $71.7 million, or 22.9 percent of revenue against 21.4 percent a year earlier. Source

Segment results

  • Industrial Processing revenue up $37.0 million: Industrial Processing revenue was $143.4 million against $106.4 million; excluding acquisitions and currency the increase was $6.3 million. Flow Control rose $7.5 million; Material Handling fell $3.0 million. Source
  • Flow Control adjusted EBITDA margin up: Flow Control adjusted EBITDA margin was 30.7 percent against 27.1 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Industrial Processing adjusted EBITDA margin: Industrial Processing adjusted EBITDA margin was 26.1 percent against 25.4 percent a year earlier. Source

“The strength of our aftermarket business, combined with disciplined execution and operational excellence, positions us well for a strong finish to the year.”

Jeffrey L. Powell, chief executive officer of Kadant

Products and customers

  • Parts and consumables 70% of revenue: Parts and consumables were 70 percent of revenue against 69 percent a year earlier; the nine-month share was 71 percent against 72 percent. Source
  • Parts and consumables 72% of bookings: Parts and consumables were 72 percent of bookings, against 74 percent a year earlier. Source

Costs and margins

  • Gross margin down 50 basis points: Gross margin was 44.7 percent against 45.2 percent a year earlier; the nine-month figure was 44.5 percent against 45.7 percent. Source
  • Industrial Processing gross margin lower: Industrial Processing gross margin was 42.0 percent against 43.6 percent; Flow Control rose to 53.0 percent from 51.9 percent. Source
  • Selling and administrative costs rose: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $82.7 million against $75.8 million; research and development was $3.8 million against $3.9 million. Source
  • Income tax provision rose: The provision for income taxes was $12.8 million against $11.8 million a year earlier. Source

“Our strong year-to-date performance positions us to deliver a record-setting 2026.”

Jeffrey L. Powell, chief executive officer of Kadant

Demand and order book

  • Bookings rose 22%, organic up 10%: Bookings were $291.1 million against $238.4 million; organic bookings rose 10 percent, with acquisitions adding 12 percent. Source
  • Aftermarket demand expected to hold: Management expects aftermarket demand to remain stable for the rest of the year, with project activity showing some improvement. Source

Capital, cash and borrowings

  • Operating cash flow up 33%: Operating cash flow was $62.9 million against $47.3 million; the company describes it as a record. Source
  • Free cash flow up 32%: Free cash flow was $58.1 million against $44.1 million, after capital expenditures of $4.8 million in the quarter. Source
  • Debt obligations higher than January: Debt obligations were $453.1 million at October 3, 2026, up from $372.7 million at January 3, 2026; cash was $138.6 million. Source
  • Interest expense rose: Interest expense was $5.6 million in the quarter against $3.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Previously leased plant purchased: The company paid $5.8 million in the nine months to buy a manufacturing facility it had previously leased. Source

Acquisitions and accounting

  • Acquisitions added $31.0 million: Acquisitions contributed $31.0 million of third-quarter revenue; favorable currency translation added $0.6 million. Source
  • Goodwill higher than January: Goodwill was $658.1 million at October 3, 2026, against $555.6 million at January 3, 2026; intangible assets were $345.4 million. Source
  • Intangible amortization rose: Intangible asset amortization was $8.8 million for the quarter against $6.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted measures exclude amortization: Adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS exclude intangible amortization under a methodology announced February 19, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Bookings Source$291.1 million
Parts and consumables share of revenue Source70%
Parts and consumables share of bookings Source72%

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said the timing of large capital orders is influenced by economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management refers to the earlier 2026 revenue range and revises it; status against the earlier range is not stated. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.