UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549
         --------------------------------------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 16, 2005


                                   KADANT INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Delaware                            1-11406                      52-1762325
(State or Other            (Commission File Number)                (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction                                                 Identification No.)

One Acton Place
Acton, Massachusetts                                                       01720
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)

                                 (978) 776-2000
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code

                                 Not Applicable
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)



Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

     [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities 
         Act (17 CFR 230.425)

     [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange 
         Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

     [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the 
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the 
         Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




                                   KADANT INC.


Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

           On February 16, 2005, Kadant Inc. (the "Company") announced its
financial results for the fiscal quarter ended January 1, 2005. The full text of
the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as
Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

           The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99) shall not be
deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section,
nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by
specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

           (c) Exhibit

           The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be
furnished and not filed.

           Exhibit
             No.       Description of Exhibit
           -------     ----------------------     

             99        Press Release issued by the Company on February 16, 2005.


<                                       2

>
                                    SIGNATURE

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                              KADANT INC.


Date: February 16, 2005   By: /s/ Thomas M. O'Brien                       
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Thomas M. O'Brien
                              Executive Vice President and 
                               Chief Financial Officer


                                       3