Kadant to Acquire NII FPG Company’s Forest Products Business

WESTFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) has entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire the forest products business of NII FPG Company for $173 million
in cash, subject to a post-closing adjustment. The Company also
announced that it has increased its revolving credit facility to $300
million from $200 million and intends to finance the transaction through
borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

NII FPG Company is a global leader in the design and manufacture of
equipment used by sawmills, veneer mills, and other manufacturers in the
forest products industry. The company also designs and manufactures
harvesting equipment used in cutting, gathering, and removing timber
from forest plantations. The transaction is expected to close in July
2017.

“Our acquisition of the forest products business of NII FPG extends our
presence deeper into the forest products industry and complements our
existing wood processing product line,” said Jonathan Painter, president
and chief executive officer of Kadant Inc. “NII FPG is a leader in its
markets with a history of stable earnings, a strong parts and
consumables business, and a solid reputation as a premium manufacturer
of products that have a high impact in customers’ operations. We expect
the company will make a strong contribution to our business.” Mr.
Painter continued, “With more than 50 percent of NII FPG’s business
coming from parts and consumables, this acquisition will also advance
our strategic plan to increase our aftermarket revenue.”

The forest products business of NII FPG Company includes two primary
manufacturing facilities and approximately 275 employees worldwide with
reported revenue of approximately $81 million for the 12 months ended
December 31, 2016.

Conference Call
Kadant will hold a conference call and
webcast on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. eastern time to discuss
the pending acquisition. To listen to the call and view the webcast, go
to the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at www.kadant.com.
To participate in the question and answer session, dial 888-326-8410
within the U.S., or +1-704-385-4884 outside the U.S., and reference
participant passcode 31814221. A replay of the webcast will be available
on the Company’s website through June 16, 2017.

About Kadant
Kadant Inc. is a global supplier of high-value,
critical components and engineered systems used in process industries
worldwide. The Company’s products, technologies, and services play an
integral role in enhancing process efficiency, optimizing energy
utilization, and maximizing productivity in resource-intensive
industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with 2,000
employees in 18 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
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 about the financial and operating performance of the forest
products business of NII FPG Company, the benefits of the transaction,
the probable timing of the completion of the transaction, and the
expected future business and financial performance of the acquired
company following the transaction. Important factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those indicated by such statements,
including: the ability to consummate the transaction, our ability to
successfully integrate the acquired business and realize anticipated
benefits from the transaction, unanticipated disruptions to the
business, general and regional economic conditions, and the future
performance of the acquired business and the forest products industry as
well as other factors, including those set forth under the heading “Risk
Factors” in Kadant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016 and subsequent filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These include risks and uncertainties relating to
adverse changes in global and local economic conditions; the variability
and difficulty in accurately predicting revenues from large capital
equipment and systems projects; the variability and uncertainties in
sales of capital equipment in China; currency fluctuations; our
customers’ ability to obtain financing for capital equipment projects;
changes in government regulations and policies; oriented strand board
market and levels of residential construction activity; development and
use of digital media; price increases or shortages of raw materials;
dependence on certain suppliers; international sales and operations;
economic conditions and regulatory changes caused by the United
Kingdom’s likely exit from the European Union; disruption in production;
our acquisition strategy; our internal growth strategy; competition;
soundness of suppliers and customers; our effective tax rate; future
restructurings; soundness of financial institutions; our debt
obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement; loss of key
personnel; reliance on third-party research; protection of patents and
proprietary rights; failure of our information systems or breaches of
data security; 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.

Contacts

Kadant Inc.
Investor Contact Information:
Michael McKenney,
978-776-2000
[email protected]
or
Media
Contact Information:
Wes Martz, 269-278-1715
[email protected]

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