KADANT INC (KAI) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
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Item 1. Business
Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, when we use the terms "we," "us," "our," "Registrant," and the "Company," we mean Kadant Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context otherwise indicates. Kadant Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "KAI."
Unless otherwise noted, references to 2025, 2024, and 2023 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are to our fiscal years ended January 3, 2026, December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, respectively.
Description of Our Business
We are a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing®. Our products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries while helping our customers advance their sustainability initiatives with products that reduce waste or generate more yield with fewer inputs, particularly fiber, energy, and water. Producing more while consuming less is a core aspect of Sustainable Industrial Processing and a major element of the strategic focus of our three reportable segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling.
We have a long and well-established history of developing, manufacturing, and servicing a range of products and equipment used in process industries such as paper, packaging, and tissue; wood products; mining; metals; food processing; and recycling and waste management, among others. Some of our businesses or their predecessor companies have been in operation for more than 100 years. Our diverse customer base includes global and regional industrial manufacturers and distributors who participate in the broader resource transformation sector. We believe we have one of the largest installed bases of equipment in the markets we serve around the globe.
We expect that a significant driver of our long-term growth will be the acquisition of businesses and technologies that complement or augment our existing products and services or may involve entry into a new process industry. We have completed acquisitions in each of our three reportable segments in recent years and continue to pursue acquisition opportunities.
On July 9, 2025, we acquired all the outstanding equity securities of Babbini S.p.A and G.P.S. Engineering S.r.l (collectively, Babbini), two Italy-based companies specializing in industrial dewatering and engineered power transmission solutions, for approximately $16.5 million, net of cash acquired. On October 7, 2025, we acquired all the outstanding equity securities of Clyde Industries Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, Clyde Industries), a manufacturer of highly engineered boiler efficiency and cleaning system technologies for $173.7 million, net of cash acquired. Babbini and Clyde Industries are both part of our Industrial Processing segment.
On January 29, 2026, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the shares of voestalpine BÖHLER Profil GmbH & Co KG and voestalpine BÖHLER Profil VerwaltungsGmbH (collectively, voestalpine BÖHLER Profil), a global supplier of tailor-made special profiles with complex geometries and high-performance industrial knives for approximately 157.0 million euros in cash, subject to certain customary adjustments. The closing of this acquisition is subject to receipt of certain Austrian regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Upon closing, voestalpine BÖHLER Profil will become part of our Industrial Processing segment and its name will change to Kadant Profil GmbH & Co KG.
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Business Segments and Products
We report our financial results by combining operating entities into three reportable segments consisting of our Flow Control segment, Industrial Processing segment, and Material Handling segment. See Note 11, Business Segment and Geographical Information, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for financial information regarding our segments.
Flow Control Segment
Through our Flow Control segment, we provide custom-engineered products, systems, and technologies that control the flow of fluids used in industrial and commercial applications to keep critical processes running efficiently in the packaging, paper and tissue, food, energy, defense and numerous other industrial sectors. The Flow Control segment consists of our fluid-handling and doctoring, cleaning, & filtration product lines.
Fluid-Handling
We develop, manufacture and market fluid-handling systems, equipment and integrated technologies used in industrial piping systems to compensate for movement and to efficiently transfer fluid, power, and data. Our products are used primarily in the production of fiber-based packaging, energy, food, metals, chemicals, and in factory automation. Our principal fluid-handling systems and equipment include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Rotary joints: Our rotary sealing devices, used with rotating shafts, allow the transfer of pressurized fluid from a stationary source into and out of rotating or oscillating machinery for heating, cooling, or the transfer of fluid, power and data. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Syphons: Our devices, installed inside rotating cylinders, are used to remove fluids from the rotating cylinders through rotary joints or unions located on either end of the cylinder. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Turbulator® bars: Our steel or stainless steel axial bars, installed on the inside of cylinders, are used to induce turbulence in the condensate layer to improve the uniformity and rate of heat transfer through the cylinders. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Expansion joints: Our rubber, metal, fabric, and other types of expansion joints are used to compensate for movement in industrial piping systems due to thermal expansion, vibration and other causes. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Engineered steam and condensate systems: Our steam systems and advanced controls manage the flow of steam from the boiler to steam-heated rolls or processing machinery, collect condensed steam, and return it to the boiler to facilitate efficient energy utilization during the manufacturing process. Our systems and equipment are also used to efficiently and effectively distribute steam in a variety of industrial processing applications. |
Doctoring, Cleaning, & Filtration
We develop, manufacture, and market a wide range of doctoring, cleaning, and filtration systems and related parts and consumables that continuously clean rolls to keep paper machines and other industrial processes running efficiently. Doctoring and cleaning systems are also used in other process industries such as building materials, carbon fiber, textiles, food, and metals. Our principal doctoring, cleaning, and filtration products include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Doctor systems and holders: Our doctor systems clean papermaking and other continuous process rolls to maintain the efficient operation of paper machines and other equipment by placing a blade against the roll at constant and uniform pressure. A doctor system consists of the structure supporting the blade and the blade holder. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Doctor blades: We manufacture doctor and scraper blades made of a variety of materials including metal, bi-metal, reinforced composites, and synthetic materials that perform a variety of functions including cleaning, creping, web removal, flaking, and applying coatings. A typical doctor blade has a life ranging from eight hours to two months, depending on the application. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Cleaning showers and fabric-conditioning systems: Our cleaning shower and fabric-conditioning systems assist in the removal of contaminants that collect on paper machine or other continuous process fabrics, belts, chains, and roll surfaces. |
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| – | Forming systems and wear surfaces: We supply structures that drain, purify, and recycle process water from the pulp mixture during paper sheet and web formation. Similar processes such as non-wovens manufacturing and molded pulp application use our forming systems. Our wear surfaces are used to remove water from the paper web as it travels across the structures in the forming section of the paper machine or other continuous process. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Water-filtration systems: We offer a variety of filtration systems and strainers that remove contaminants from process water before reuse and recover reusable fiber for recycling back into the pulp mixture, and for use in other fiber processes such as non-wovens manufacturing or building and construction materials applications. |
Industrial Processing Segment
Through our Industrial Processing segment, we provide equipment, machinery, and technologies used to recycle paper and paperboard, process timber and optimize industrial steam boiler efficiency for use in the packaging, paper, tissue, wood products, and food processing industries, among others. In addition, we provide industrial automation and digitization solutions to process industries. The Industrial Processing segment consists of our wood processing and fiber processing product lines.
Wood Processing
We develop, manufacture, and market debarkers, stranders, chippers, and related equipment used in the production of lumber, oriented strand board (OSB) and other wood products. Our principal wood processing products and services include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Ring and rotary debarkers: Our fixed and sliding ring debarkers utilize a rotating multi-tool to strip the bark off a non-rotating log. Our ring debarkers are used in lumber mills to remove the bark from the tree before further processing into lumber. Our rotary debarkers and related parts and consumables employ a combination of mechanical abrasion and log-to-log contact to efficiently remove bark from logs of all shapes and species. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Stranders: Our disc and ring stranders and related parts and consumables cut batch-fed and tree-length logs into strands for OSB production and are used to manage strands in real time using our proprietary conveying and feeding equipment. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Chippers: Our disc, drum, and veneer chippers and related parts and consumables are high-quality, robust chipper systems for waste-wood and whole-log applications found in pulp woodrooms, chip plants, and sawmill and planer mill sites. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Engineered knife systems: Our equipment includes custom chipping, planing, and flaking products and systems used in sawmills, pulp mills, chip plants and other applications. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Industrial automation and control: We provide industrial automation, process technology, and project management services to help industrial companies digitally transform their operations. |
Fiber Processing
We develop, manufacture, and market custom-engineered systems, equipment, and monitoring and simulation solutions for pulping, de-inking, screening, cleaning, and refining primarily recycled fiber for preparation for entry into the paper machine, and recausticizing and evaporation equipment and systems used in the production of virgin pulp. Our principal fiber processing products include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Recycling and approach flow systems: Our equipment includes pulping, screening, cleaning, and de-inking systems that process fiber and remove contaminants, such as ink, glue, metals, and other impurities, to prepare them for entry into the paper machine during the production of recycled paper. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Virgin pulping process equipment: Our equipment includes pulp washers, evaporators, and recausticizing and condensate treatment systems used to remove lignin, concentrate and recycle process chemicals, and remove condensate gases. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Boiler cleaning technologies: Our highly-engineered boiler cleaning systems and technologies are used in recovery and power boilers in cellulose pulp-making processes to maximize boiler equipment reliability and minimize operational costs. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Single- and double-screw presses: Our continuous mechanical screw presses are used to remove water and other liquids from sugar beet pulp, cellulose pulp, and a variety of other agro-industrial products used in food, paper, rendering, and other industrial applications. |
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Material Handling Segment
Through our Material Handling segment, we provide products and engineered systems used to handle bulk and discrete materials for secondary processing or transport in the aggregates, mining, food, and waste management industries, among others. In addition, we manufacture and sell biodegradable, absorbent granules used as carriers in agricultural applications and for oil and grease absorption. The Material Handling segment consists of our conveying and vibratory, baling, and fiber-based product lines.
Conveying and Vibratory Equipment
We develop, manufacture, and market conveying and vibratory equipment, systems, and integrated technologies to various process industries, including mining, aggregates, food processing, packaging, and paper. Our principal conveying and vibratory products include:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| – | Vibratory equipment: feeders, screens, and flow aides utilized in the feeding of rugged and non-rugged materials as well as in mixing, blending, and packaging of fragile materials with speed and precision. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
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| – | Conveying equipment: transport idlers, power terminal units, electric controls, and predictive wireless monitoring solutions used to transport bulk materials in harsh above- and below-ground mining environments; and screw conveyors and feeders, slide gates, and bucket elevators used for material handling operations in the agricultural, food, chemical, and paper industries, among others. |
Baling
We develop, manufacture, and market individual components and equipment for baling recyclable and waste materials to prepare them for secondary processing, transport, or storage. Our principal baling products include horizontal channel balers, vertical balers, conveyors, compactors, and bale wrapping machines used in the processing of recyclable and waste materials.
Fiber-based Products
We manufacture and sell biodegradable, absorbent granules derived from papermaking by-products. These materials are primarily used as carriers in agricultural, home lawn and garden, professional lawn, turf and ornamental applications, and for oil and grease absorption.
Dependency on a Single Customer
No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenue in any of the past three years. In addition, within our Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling segments, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of each of the respective segment's revenue.
Approximately 50% in 2025 and 2024 and 53% in 2023 of our consolidated revenue was to customers outside the United States, principally in Europe, Asia and Canada.
Backlog
Our backlog of firm orders by reportable segment is as follows:
| (In millions) | January 3, 2026 | December 28, 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flow Control | $ | 80.5 | $ | 82.3 | |||
| Industrial Processing | 162.5 | 121.9 | |||||
| Material Handling | 45.2 | 53.2 | |||||
| $ | 288.2 | $ | 257.4 |
We anticipate that the majority of the backlog at our fiscal year-end 2025 will be shipped within 12 months. Some of our capital orders can be canceled by the customer upon payment of a cancellation fee.
Research and Development
We develop a broad range of products for all facets of the markets we serve. We operate research and development facilities in the United States, Europe, and Canada, and focus our product innovations on process industry challenges and the need for improved fiber processing, heat transfer, roll and fabric cleaning, fluid handling, wood processing, and secondary material handling. In addition to internal product development activities, our research centers allow customers to simulate their own operating conditions and applications to identify and quantify opportunities for improvement.
Our research and development expenses were $15.3 million in 2025, $14.3 million in 2024, and $13.6 million in 2023.
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Sales and Marketing
We market and sell our engineered products, services, and systems to process industries using a combination of direct sales, independent sales agents, and distributors depending on the market and product being sold. Technical service personnel, product specialists, and other subject matter experts are utilized in certain markets and with certain product lines. Our application expertise is complemented by a consultative selling approach to ensure we meet the needs of our customers.
Competition
We are a leading supplier of systems and equipment in each of our product lines within our Flow Control segment and there are several global and numerous local competitors in each market. In our Industrial Processing segment, we compete with a limited number of global and regional competitors in the forest products markets and fiber processing equipment markets. In our Material Handling segment, we compete with numerous global, regional, and local competitors for our conveying and vibratory equipment, and strong regional competitors for our baling equipment and fiber-based granules offerings. Because of the diversity of our products, we face many different types of competitors and competition. We compete primarily on the basis of technical expertise, product innovation, and product performance. We believe the reputation that we have established for high-performance, high-reliability products supported by our in-depth process knowledge and application expertise provides us with a competitive advantage. In addition, a significant portion of our business is generated from our worldwide customer base. To maintain this base, we have emphasized our global presence, local support, and problem-solving relationship with our customers. Our success primarily depends on the following factors:
| – | Technical expertise and process knowledge; | |
|---|---|---|
| – | Product innovation; | |
| – | Product quality, reliability, and performance; | |
| – | Operating efficiency of our products; | |
| – | Customer service and support; | |
| – | Relative price of our products; and | |
| – | Total cost of ownership of our products. |
Raw Materials
The primary raw materials used by our businesses are: Flow Control segment – steel, stainless steel, ductile iron, brass, bronze, aluminum, and elastomers; Industrial Processing segment – steel and stainless steel; and Material Handling segment – steel, aluminum, and composites. These raw materials are generally purchased and available through a number of suppliers. The raw material used in the manufacture of our fiber-based granules is a by-product of paper production that we obtain from select paper mills. If these mills were unable or unwilling to supply us with sufficient fiber, we would be forced to find one or more alternative suppliers for this raw material. To date, our raw materials have generally been available to meet our current needs.
Patents, Licenses, and Trademarks
We protect our intellectual property rights by applying for and obtaining patents when appropriate. We also rely on technical know-how, trade secrets, and trademarks to maintain our competitive position. We enter into license agreements with others to grant and/or receive rights to patents, trademarks, and know-how. No particular patent, or related group of patents, is so important that its expiration or loss would significantly affect our operations.
Flow Control Segment
We have numerous U.S. and foreign patents, including foreign counterparts to our U.S. patents, expiring on various dates ranging from 2026 to 2043, related to fluid handling and doctoring, cleaning, and filtration equipment. From time to time, we enter into licenses with other companies for products that serve the pulp, papermaking, converting, and paper recycling industries.
Industrial Processing Segment
We have numerous U.S. and foreign patents, including foreign counterparts to our U.S. patents, expiring on various dates ranging from 2026 to 2043, related to fiber processing and wood processing systems and equipment.
Material Handling Segment
We have numerous U.S. and foreign patents, including foreign counterparts to our U.S. patents, expiring on various dates ranging from 2026 to 2041, related to various aspects of conveyor belt systems and conveying apparatus, and baling equipment. We license one of our two significant product brand names, Link-Belt®, from a third party pursuant to a trademark
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license agreement. Approximately 17% of our Material Handling segment revenue in 2025 was generated by sales of conveying equipment under the Link-Belt® name. Under the terms of the license agreement, we have a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use the Link-Belt® trademark in connection with such products.
We also currently hold several U.S. patents, expiring on various dates ranging from 2026 to 2034, related to various aspects of the processing of fiber-based granules and the use of these materials in home lawn, professional turf and ornamental applications, and for oil and grease absorption.
Government Regulations
We are subject to a variety of U.S. and international governmental regulations, including environmental regulations. We believe that our operations comply in all material respects with applicable laws and regulations. Our compliance with these requirements did not change during the past year, and is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, earnings, or competitive position. For more information on risks related to government regulations, please see Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors."
Seasonal Influences
Flow Control Segment
There are no material seasonal influences on this segment's sales of products and services.
Industrial Processing Segment
Our Industrial Processing segment is subject to seasonal variations, with demand for our wood processing products tending to be greater during the building season, which generally occurs in the second and third quarters in North America.
Material Handling Segment
Our Material Handling segment may experience minor seasonal fluctuations in sales, with demand for our products tending to be greater in the second and third quarters due to the impact of weather and favorable outdoor working conditions at certain of our customers. Our fiber-based products business experiences fluctuations in sales, usually in the third quarter, when sales decline due to the seasonality of the agricultural and home lawn and garden markets.
Human Capital Resources
At Kadant, our culture is based on responsible and safe practices, supported by an engaged and empowered workforce. We believe that our employees are the core of our business, and we devote significant time and resources to their training and development. For more information, please reference our Corporate Sustainability Report (CSR), which is available at kadant.com. We are not including the information contained in the CSR as part of this report, nor are we incorporating the information in the CSR into this Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference.
Safety
We maintain a safety-first culture grounded on the premise of eliminating workplace incidents, risks and hazards. We have created and implemented processes to help eliminate safety violations by reducing their frequency and severity. Our commitment to safety is reinforced by our robust safety program and ongoing training.
Talent and Development
The attraction, retention and development of exceptional employees is critical to our continued success. As part of these efforts, we strive to offer competitive compensation and benefits programs and to foster a safe and inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to do their best work. We embrace the unique backgrounds, experiences, and talents of our employees. Everyone is valued and appreciated for their distinct contributions to the growth and sustainability of our business. We strive to cultivate a culture that supports and enhances our ability to recruit, develop and retain talent at every level.
As of January 3, 2026, we had approximately 3,900 full-time employees worldwide. Of our full-time employees, approximately 50% were in North America, 30% were in Europe and 15% were in Asia. Other than certain of our Canadian employees and typical works councils outside of the U.S., none of our employees are represented by labor unions or covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Our management team places significant focus and attention on matters concerning our human capital, particularly capability development and succession planning. Accordingly, we regularly review talent development and succession plans for each of our functions and operating segments, to identify and develop a pipeline of talent to maintain business operations. We
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have numerous programs to attract and retain our talent, including leadership and executive development programs, as well as technical and other training. We partner with vocational schools, community colleges, universities and associations to promote future careers in manufacturing through training and apprenticeship programs. We also have a well-established performance management and talent development process in which managers provide regular feedback and coaching to develop employees.
Compensation and Benefits
As part of these efforts, we strive to offer competitive compensation and benefits programs. Our compensation and benefits program is designed to attract and retain talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to support our business objectives, assist in the achievement of our strategic goals and create long-term value for our stockholders. We offer comprehensive, locally relevant benefits to all eligible employees, which include, among other benefits:
| – | Comprehensive health insurance coverage; | |
|---|---|---|
| – | Retirement benefits; | |
| – | Life insurance and disability benefits; and | |
| – | Leave and wellness benefits. |
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that are filed electronically by issuers with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at sec.gov. In addition, we make available free of charge through our website at kadant.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to these reports filed with or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. We are not including the information contained on our website as part of this report, nor are we incorporating the information on our website into this report by reference.
Information about our Executive Officers
The following table summarizes certain information concerning our executive officers as of February 20, 2026:
| Name | Age | Present Title (Fiscal Year First Became Executive Officer) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey L. Powell | 67 | President and Chief Executive Officer (2009) | ||
| Michael J. McKenney | 64 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2002) | ||
| Stacy D. Krause | 49 | Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary (2018) | ||
| Dara F. Mitchell | 57 | Senior Vice President, Corporate Development (2021) | ||
| Deborah S. Selwood | 57 | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (2015) | ||
| Michael C. Colwell | 60 | Senior Vice President (2019) | ||
| Peter J. Flynn | 75 | Senior Vice President (2019) | ||
| Thomas Andrew Blanchard | 67 | Vice President (2021) | ||
| Fredrik H. Westerhout | 61 | Vice President (2021) |
Mr. Powell has been our chief executive officer and a director since July 2019 and our president since April 2019. He served as an executive vice president and a co-chief operating officer from March 2018 to March 2019. From March 2013 to March 2018, he was an executive vice president and had supervisory responsibility for our fiber processing, wood processing, and fiber-based products businesses. From September 2009 to March 2013, he was a senior vice president. From January 2008 to September 2009, Mr. Powell was vice president, new ventures, with principal responsibility for acquisition-related activities. Prior to joining us, Mr. Powell was the chairman and chief executive officer of Castion Corporation from April 2003 through December 2007.
Mr. McKenney has been an executive vice president and our chief financial officer since March 2018. From June 2015 to March 2018, he was a senior vice president and our chief financial officer. He served as our vice president, finance and chief accounting officer from 2002 to 2015 and as corporate controller from 1997 to 2007. Mr. McKenney was controller of Kadant AES, our division acquired from Albany International Inc., from 1993 to 1997. Prior to 1993, Mr. McKenney held various financial positions at Albany International and Coopers & Lybrand LLP.
Ms. Krause has been our senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary since November 2021 and served as our vice president, general counsel and secretary from July 2018 to November 2021. She served as our deputy general counsel from
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December 2017 to June 2018. Prior to joining us, Ms. Krause was head of commerce cloud commercial legal at salesforce.com, inc., a global SAAS software company, from July 2016 to December 2017. She previously served as assistant general counsel of Demandware, Inc., a global SAAS software company, from January 2014 to July 2016, prior to its acquisition by salesforce.com, and was assistant general counsel of Entegris, Inc., a provider of advanced materials and materials handling solutions, from 2011 to 2014. Prior to 2011, Ms. Krause was a lawyer in the corporate transactional department of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP.
Ms. Mitchell has been our senior vice president, corporate development, since May 2019 and served as our vice president, corporate development from 2016 to 2019 and our director of corporate development from 2013 to 2016. Prior to joining Kadant, Ms. Mitchell was a principal at NewDelta Partners, an investment banking and strategic advisory firm, and investment director at 3i, a global private equity firm where she was responsible for investing in technology companies.
Ms. Selwood has been our senior vice president and chief accounting officer since May 2019 and served as our vice president and chief accounting officer from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, she served as our corporate controller from 2007 to 2015 and as assistant controller from 2004 to 2007. Prior to 2004, Ms. Selwood held various financial positions at Arthur Andersen LLP and Genuity Inc.
Mr. Colwell has been a senior vice president since December 2024 and was a vice president from August 2022 to December 2024 and is responsible for our Industrial Processing segment. Prior to that, he had supervisory responsibility for our wood processing business, which is part of our Industrial Processing segment, from July 2019 to July 2022 and had responsibility for our fiber-based products business from July 2019 to November 2021. Mr. Colwell previously served as the president of Kadant Carmanah Design (Carmanah), a division of our subsidiary Kadant Canada Corp., from 2013 to 2019. Carmanah, which is part of our wood processing business, designs and manufactures equipment for the OSB industry. Mr. Colwell previously served as the president and chief executive officer of Carmanah Design and Manufacturing Inc. from April 2010 until its acquisition by us in November 2013.
Mr. Flynn has been our senior vice president since August 2022 and provides strategic management support, including management of special projects. He previously served as our vice president from July 2019 to July 2022 with supervisory responsibility for our fiber processing business, which is part of our Industrial Processing segment, and our baling product line, which is part of our Material Handling segment. Prior to July 2019, Mr. Flynn served as the president of our Kadant Black Clawson LLC subsidiary from 2003 to 2019. Kadant Black Clawson manufactures fiber processing equipment primarily for the pulp and paper industry.
Mr. Blanchard has been our vice president responsible for our Material Handling segment since August 2022, and prior to that, had supervisory responsibility for our conveying and vibratory equipment and fiber-based products businesses from November 2021 to July 2022. Mr. Blanchard previously served as the president of our Syntron Material Handling subsidiaries (SMH) since January 2019 when we acquired SMH. He also served as the president of SMH from June 2014 to January 2019 prior to our acquisition. SMH, which is part of our Material Handling segment, designs and manufactures conveyors and vibratory feeders for bulk material handling in the aggregates, mining and food industries.
Mr. Westerhout has been our vice president responsible for our Flow Control segment since November 2021. Mr. Westerhout previously served as the vice president of our Flow Control subsidiaries in Europe since April 2014.