---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000886346-26-000055"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "KAI"
cik: "0000886346"
company_name: "KADANT INC"
filed_at: "2026-09-10T20:42:43+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-09-10T20:44:06.590418+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kadant names Michael Colwell as next CEO; Powell to executive chairman, Painter to retire

## Summary
- Michael C. Colwell appointed president & COO effective Oct 1, 2026; becomes president & CEO and director on Jan 2, 2027.
- Jeffrey L. Powell to become executive chairman on Jan 2, 2027; will retire on Jan 1, 2028 and then serve as non-executive chairman.
- Jonathan W. Painter to step down as chairman and director on Jan 2, 2027; no disagreement cited.
- Powell transition agreement: salary $998,900 until Jan 2, 2027, then $499,450; target bonuses $1,038,000 (FY2026) and $519,000 (FY2027).
- Unvested RSUs accelerate if Powell stays through retirement; potential March 2027 RSU grant valued at $1,862,000.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000886346-26-000055
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: KAI
- cik: 0000886346
- company_name: KADANT INC
- filed_at: 2026-09-10T20:42:43+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/kai-20260910.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000886346-26-000055
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000886346-26-000055.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000886346-26-000055.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael C. Colwell was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer at KADANT INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: president and chief executive officer effective January 2, 2027
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael C. Colwell was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer at KADANT INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and Chief Operating Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Michael C. Colwell to serve as president and chief operating officer effective October 1, 2026
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jeffrey L. Powell changed role as Executive Chairman at KADANT INC.
  - Action: become
  - Role: Executive Chairman
  source text: As part of the Succession Plan, Jeffrey L. Powell will continue to serve as president through September 30, 2026, and chief executive officer through January 2, 2027, at which time he will become executive chairman of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jonathan W. Painter departed as Chairman of the Board at KADANT INC.
  - Action: cease to serve
  - Role: Chairman of the Board
  source text: In addition, on September 10, 2026, Jonathan W. Painter notified the Company that he will cease to serve as a director on January 2, 2027.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm
- Executive change
  Michael C. Colwell was appointed as Member of the Board at KADANT INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Member of the Board
  source text: In addition, the Board appointed Mr. Colwell to serve as a member of the Board effective January 2, 2027.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jeffrey L. Powell changed role as Non-Executive Chairman at KADANT INC.
  - Action: become
  - Role: Non-Executive Chairman
  source text: Mr. Powell will step down as executive chairman upon his retirement on January 1, 2028 (the “Retirement Date”), but is expected to remain a director and to serve as non-executive chairman of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886346/000088634626000055/0000886346-26-000055-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.