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Kadant

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Employees 1001-5000
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FY2000 Annual Report · Kadant
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Thermo Fibertek Inc.

2 0 0 0

K a–dant Inc.

S u m m a r y   A n n u a l   R e p o r t  

To  Our  Shareholders:

For the year ended December 31, 2000, Thermo Fibertek Inc. reported revenues of $234.9 million,

slightly above the $228.0 million recorded in 1999. Excluding acquisitions and unfavorable cur-

Thermo Fibertek Inc.

rency effects, revenues increased 5 percent over 1999. Net income was $15.1 million, or $.25 per

Summary Annual Report 

diluted share, compared with $17.8 million, or $.29 per diluted share, last year. When adjusted for

2000

unusual items, including restructuring charges, extraordinary gains, the cumulative effect of adopt-

ing the new SAB 101 accounting rules, and startup costs related to our fiber-based composites

business, net income in 2000 would have been $15.8 million, or $.26 per diluted share, versus

$14.8 million, or $.24 per diluted share, in 1999.

Thermo Fibertek Inc. is a leading provider

Over much of the past decade, our customers in the worldwide paper and paper-recycling

of technology-based systems for the global

industry have been subject to chronic pricing pressure resulting from excess capacity. The ongoing

papermaking and paper-recycling indus-

tries. From large-scale de-inking and water-

management systems to accessories such

as blades that keep paper machines running

efficiently, Thermo Fibertek equipment can

process of consolidation and restructuring has led to significant delays and modifications to capi-

tal spending plans. For Thermo Fibertek, this slowdown is mitigated, to some extent, by sales of

doctor blades and other consumables required to sustain the large installed base of our equipment.

The necessary structural changes initiated by paper companies will pay off for the industry

in the long run by creating higher operating rates, reduced cyclicality, improved margins, and

greater financial strength. In this climate, mill operators will be increasingly receptive to new tech-

be found in nearly all of the world's pulp

nologies that can be retrofitted on existing machines to reduce costs, increase machine output,

and paper mills. The company is also work-

and gain a competitive advantage through enhanced product quality. Such upgrades and refine-

ing to expand into high-growth markets

ments apply not only to the modernization of existing pulp and paper plants, but also to new

and, through its Thermo Fibergen sub-

sidiary, is developing and commercializing

composite building products made from

natural fiber and recycled plastic.

facilities being built in China, South America, and other developing markets where per capita use

of paper products is expanding in parallel with GDP growth.

Thermo Fibertek’s global presence and recognized expertise in key elements of papermaking

technology provide a solid basis for sustained leadership in this industry. At our five R&D facilities,

located in Massachusetts, Ohio, New York, and France, we continue to develop innovative sys-

tems for critical phases of paper production (see cover foldout).

Because of our long history of reliable service in an extremely conservative industry, our new

products are more readily accepted by manufacturers seeking to improve productivity at 

minimal risk. With a large installed base of equipment and a highly responsive global distribution

and service network, we can expedite product introductions through collaborative field testing at

customer facilities. This key access helps us leverage our technologies into segments of the paper-

making process that we currently do not serve. For example, we have recently targeted the paper

machine approach-flow market as an opportunity to expand the use of our technology. We also

intend to acquire additional businesses that complement Thermo Fibertek’s existing product lines.

Over the long term, our strategy is to reduce the company’s exposure to cyclicality in the

paper industry by entering markets that have greater potential for growth. We are on the way to

accomplishing this goal through the application of Thermo Fibertek’s extensive know-how in 

filtration, separation, and advanced materials technologies to the development of a new business

venture that employs raw materials “mined” from paper mill effluents.

The daily waste stream from a typical mill contains hundreds of tons of solids that are dis-

posed of in landfills or incinerated, with the attendant financial and environmental costs. We 

currently use this waste to produce commercial products, including absorbents and biodegradable

carriers for fertilizers and pesticides. However, these low-value granular products make up only a

small fraction of the potential opportunity for re-using mill byproducts.

During the past few years, our scientists at Thermo Fibergen have developed a family of

engineered composites made from recycled plastics reinforced by natural fibers extracted from

the papermaking process. Prototype systems for decking, privacy fences, soundwall barriers, and

roofing applications have been formulated, and a production facility established in Green Bay,

Wisconsin. Waste materials from a nearby paper mill feed our extrusion lines, which have begun 

supplying posts and panel sections for fencing, decking, and soundwall systems. Compared with

existing plastic lumber products, our advanced composites technology allows us to custom-engineer

materials and shapes that have greater strength, durability, heat and sun resistance, sound attenua-

tion, and other application-specific properties. More importantly, our composites are not subject to

warping, rotting, cracking, and insect infestation, and thus do not require costly maintenance.

In January 2000, our parent company, Thermo Electron Corporation, announced that Thermo

Fibertek would be spun off as an independent public company. This action is part of a major reor-

ganization plan that will allow Thermo Electron to focus on its core instruments business. In

February 2001, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a favorable ruling on the spinoff.

Thermo Electron expects to proceed with the distribution of Thermo Fibertek as a dividend to

Thermo Electron shareholders during the second half of 2001. At that time, Thermo Fibertek will
change its name to Ka–dant Inc., reflecting its new identity as a stand-alone company with a

charge to move forward into new avenues of growth.

The transition of Ka–dant into an independent company will be supported by a strong combi-

nation of technology, talent, and financial resources. These include a balance sheet with nearly 

$155 million in cash and short-term investments, substantial cash flow from well-established core

businesses, and a rapidly developing new venture serving the multi-billion-dollar markets for
high-performance composite building materials. At Ka–dant, we have the resources and the drive to

William A. Rainville

meet our future challenges and achieve our central goal of maximizing value for our customers,

employees, and shareholders.

Sincerely,

William A. Rainville

President and Chief Executive Officer   

March 15, 2001

1

e v e r y S T E P o f t h e W A Y

H

raw materials for 

recycled and
virgin feedstock

A

B

C

B

s t o c k   p r e p a r a t i o n

Serving the Global Paper Industry with 
Advanced Technologies to Enhance Productivity

The paper industry operates more than 8,100 large-scale production machines yielding more

The actual papermaking process begins

than 300 million tons per year of paper and paperboard products. Paper producers expend

with the introduction of cellulose fiber and

about $20 billion per year worldwide for capital improvements to those systems. Approxi-

water slurry onto a moving synthetic fabric,

mately one-third of total industry output is concentrated in North America, where annual con-

or fourdrinier, to create a continuous web 

sumption approaches 700 pounds per capita. This is seven times the world average, and

of material up to 30 feet or more in width. 

about 35 times that of China and other developing nations.

Traveling at speeds from 20 to 70 miles per

Papermaking is a highly water-intensive process, requiring about 14,000 gallons of clean

hour, the web passes through a succession

water for every ton of paper produced. In the U.S. alone, paper manufacturers use 3.4 trillion

of large rolls where pressing, drying, coat-

gallons of water per year, at an annual cost of $1 billion.

ing, and other finishing operations are 

A typical paper-production facility, shown here, comprises multiple stages of stock prepa-

performed.

ration and papermaking processes. Feedstock material for the process includes both virgin

Thermo Fibertek equipment, found on

pulp derived from timber, as well as recycled waste paper. The amount of recycling continues

nearly every paper machine in the world,

to increase, rising from about 31 percent in 1992 to an estimated 41 percent in 2000 for U.S.

producers. Recycling rates are even higher in Europe and in some Asian countries.

composites

F

G

D E F

E

p a p e r m a k i n g

finished paper

Thermo Fibertek systems are used 
in critical stages of paper production:

plays an important role in almost every one of these stages. Customers rely on our systems

(A) Pulping

and consumables to promote efficiency in production and quality of the final product, from

fine printing and writing paper to tissue to corrugated board. 

Thermo Fibertek has introduced numerous advances in papermaking technology that

have greatly enhanced the productivity of our customers’ operations. For example, such

(B) Screening and Cleaning

(C) De-Inking

(D) Web Formation

innovations played a central role in expanding the production of expensive fine-quality

(E) Doctoring and Conditioning

white papers from low-grade recycled wastes containing adhesives, coatings, inks, and

other contaminants. Other of the company’s product innovations are described in subse-

quent sections of this report.

(F) Showers

(G) Filtration

(H) Waste Processing and Recovery 

a l m o s t
R O C K E T s c i e n c e

and recycling, the PETAX system can filter
liquids with up to 1,000 parts per million of
solids to a level of clarity necessary for fine-
paper production. One customer, a large
paperboard mill, was able to cut water con-
sumption by more than 30 percent. As an
added dividend, the plant returns about 15
tons per day of valuable long fibers to its
supply of feedstock material.

s i n g t h e L O O P

3

f e e l i n g t h e

f o r m a t i o n

Nearly all paper products are manufactured
using the wet forming process, whereby a
slurry of water and fibers is deposited uni-
formly onto a continuous synthetic fabric, or
fourdrinier. Once formed, the fast-moving
web of material must be drained of excess
water prior to passing into subsequent
process stages. The magnitude of the web
formation challenge can be seen in the
amount of water that must be continuously
removed – upwards of 15,000 gallons per
minute in a large machine.

Conventional forming units usually
incorporate vacuum systems to facilitate
uniform fiber distribution and water
drainage. However, the resulting tradeoff
between machine speeds, feedstock con-
sistency, and other parameters leads to
variable sheet strength, poor surface
appearance, and frequent breakages of the
web that force machine shutdowns costing
thousands of dollars per hour.

A major breakthrough, known as Velocity
Induced Drainage (VID), was introduced by
Thermo Fibertek. This patented formation
system harnesses hydrodynamic energy
produced by the velocity of the fourdrinier
fabric to create a controlled pattern of pres-
sure pulses in the slurry. The system com-
prises a series of adjustable aerodynamic
foils, placed below the rapidly moving sur-
face, that energize and activate fibers within
the slurry. These pulses move water back
and forth across the thickness of the slurry,
decreasing the drainage resistance of the
sheet and allowing the fibers to more fully
intertwine to create a stronger sheet.

d o c t o r i n g

Doctoring systems perform critical cleaning
and conditioning functions at multiple points
in the papermaking process, helping to pro-
tect the millions of dollars worth of rolls and
web-supporting fabrics at the heart of every
papermaking machine. As many as 100 doc-
tor units control the precise placement of
specially designed blades against the sur-
faces of 80 or more large rolls operating in a
typical machine. These doctors ensure that
proper blade angles and contact pressures
are applied uniformly along the full length of
each roll. Blade functions, which vary
depending on their location in the paper
machine and the type of paper being pro-

duced, range from cleaning the rolls, to
creping (for tissue and toweling), to apply-
ing coatings, to eliminating curl.

Thermo Fibertek’s large installed base of
doctoring systems facilitates its introduction
of new technologies that increase produc-
tivity for customers. In the past, most doctor
blades were fabricated from strips of steel
that lasted only a few hours. Because of the
high cost of unscheduled downtime, paper
machine operators are receptive to improve-
ments that not only extend blade life but
reduce wear and damage to roll surfaces. 

Through our comprehensive program of

research in advanced materials, Thermo 

4

P U L S E

Fibertek has developed high-tech designs
to replace low-cost conventional blades
with an array of new products. Recent inno-
vations include Softek, a nonabrasive com-
posite blade designed for soft roll surfaces;
Pro Crepe, a bi-metal assembly with supe-
rior wear resistance for high-speed creping
applications; and Press Tek B, a bi-metal
alternative for improved protection against
plugging of pores in ceramic and other 
nonmetallic rolls.

t h e D O CT O R i s i n

5

In  September  2000,  our  50,000-square-foot
extrusion  facility  in  Green  Bay,  Wisconsin,  began
production of engineered composite plastic build-
ing  products.  Our  goal  is  to  increase  capacity  to
support  up  to  $20  million  in  annualized  revenues
by the second half of 2001.

c o m p o s i t e s

Through our Thermo Fibergen subsidiary, we
have conducted an aggressive five-year pro-
gram of R&D directed at transforming paper
mill sludge and other wastes into valuable
commercial products. These include bio-
degradable granular products, derived from
recovered minerals and fibers, for applica-
tions such as oil and grease absorbents, cat
box fillers, and carriers for delivery of agri-
cultural chemicals. Granular materials, how-
ever, represent only the initial phase in the
company’s strategy for diversifying into
high-growth businesses beyond our core
markets in the paper industry.

During the past year, we achieved a major
commercialization milestone with the startup
in Green Bay, Wisconsin, of manufacturing

This demonstration structure illustrates the

versatility of Thermo Fibergen’s leading-

edge technology in composite plastic

building materials engineered to meet the

specific performance requirements of vari-

ous outdoor construction applications.

t h e N E X T b i g t h i n g

Decking  – Long  fibers  with
moderate amounts of miner-
als  for  lighter  weight,  high
bending  stiffness,  resis-
tance to impact, and stability
against creep

6

facilities for engineered composite building
products. These composites are made from
recycled plastics reinforced by natural fibers
extracted from the papermaking process. 
We have begun producing, in limited quanti-
ties, high-performance finished shapes for
applications including residential decking,
privacy fences, and soundwall barriers adja-
cent to streets and highways. The new plant,
which can accommodate additional extrusion
lines, uses granules of mineral and fiber
material produced at our nearby GranTek
facility. We intend to leverage our relation-
ships with major paper producers to secure
long-term access to recovered fibers at 
minimal cost.

Our advanced engineered composites
are formulated to achieve superior proper-

ties tailored to the needs of specific end-use
applications. Our composite materials are
significantly stronger than plastic lumber,
and can be extruded with a hollow core for
light weight and easy passage of wiring for
outdoor lighting or sound systems. Using our
tongue-and-groove planks, panels, railing
sections, and decorative posts, contractors
can save up to 50 percent on labor costs,
compared with structures of either treated
wood or conventional plastic lumber. We are
also developing and testing an attractive com-
posite roofing tile system that is lighter and
stronger than traditional slate or clay tiles.
The market for decking, fencing, and
soundwall systems exceeds $5 billion per
year in North America alone. Currently, 
composite lumber products constitute only 
a small fraction of this market, but sales of
such materials are growing at over 30 percent
per year. Demand is spurred by the inherent
problems of conventional lumber products

such as pressure treated pine, cedar, and
expensive teak or mahogany hardwoods.
Composite building products are resistant
to moisture, insects, cracking, warping, and
splintering, and they do not require painting
or sealing.

Thermo Fibertek’s product line features 
a total system of finished shapes that facili-
tate construction of fences, decks, and other
exterior building projects. Over the past year,
we have begun establishing marketing chan-
nels for these products. In early 2001, we
acquired the remaining interest in Next Fiber
Products Inc., a joint venture established to
produce and market fiber-based composites.
We also signed an agreement with Compact
Industries for exclusive distribution of our
soundwall systems, and completed installa-
tion of a soundwall project at a commercial
site in Toronto. Compact also has exclusive
rights to distribute our railing and decking
products in Canada. We intend to develop
our national and international distribution
channels to include suppliers serving mass
merchandisers and high-end building-
product stores.

Roofing Tiles – Long fibers, high
mineral content, and  proprietary
additives to achieve light weight,
high impact strength, and
enhanced flame retardation

Siding – Short fibers and low min-
eral content for lightest weight 

Soundwall  and  Privacy  Fencing  –
Formulated  using  long  fibers  and
high  mineral  content  to  maximize
flexure  strength,  stiffness,  and
sound attenuation

7

2 0 0 0

T h e r m o   F i b e r t e k   I n c .  

s u m m a r y   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

C o n d e n s e d   C o n s o l i d a t e d   S t a t e m e n t   o f   I n c o m e

(in thousands except per share amounts)

2000

1999

1998

Revenues 

Costs and Operating Expenses:

Cost of revenues 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses 

Research and development expenses 

Gain on sale of business and property 

Restructuring and unusual items

Operating Income

Interest Income, Net

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes, Minority Interest,  
and Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

Provision for Income Taxes 

Minority Interest Income (Expense) 

Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle (Net of income taxes of $580)

Net Income

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share Before Cumulative Effect of 

Change in Accounting Principle

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Weighted Average Shares

Basic

Diluted

$234,913

$228,036

$247,426

145,111

60,901

7,687

(1,700)

(506)

211,493

23,420

2,963

26,383

(10,947)

576

16,012

(870)

134,893

147,262

61,345

7,278

(11,154)

6,152

198,514

29,522

1,029

30,551

(11,852)

(921)

17,778

—

63,381

6,971

(536)

—

217,078

30,348

548

30,896

(11,902)

(999)

17,995

—

$   15,142

$ 17,778

$   17,995

$

.26

$         .25

$

$

.29

.29

$

$

.29

.29

61,298

61,490

61,186

61,559

61,612

62,353

8

2 0 0 0

T h e r m o   F i b e r t e k   I n c .  

s u m m a r y   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

2000

1999

C o n d e n s e d C o n s o l i d a t e d   B a l a n c e   S h e e t

(in thousands)

Assets

Current Assets:

Cash, short-term investments, and advance to affiliate

$154,302

$179,439

Accounts receivable, net

Inventories and unbilled contract costs and fees

Other current assets

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

Other Assets

Goodwill

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Investment

Current Liabilities

Deferred Income Taxes and Other Deferred Items

Long-Term Obligations

Minority Interest

Shareholders’ Investment  

43,866

41,106

12,504

251,778

29,582

13,755

119,100

49,323

38,477

5,930

273,169

30,494

17,044

121,870

$ 414,215

$442,577

$ 78,681

$114,458

8,042

6,365

154,650

154,350

2,209

3,334

170,633

164,070

$ 414,215

$ 442,577

9

2 0 0 0

T h e r m o   F i b e r t e k   I n c .  

s u m m a r y   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

C o n d e n s e d   C o n s o l i d a t e d   S t a t e m e n t   o f   C a s h   F l o w s

(in thousands)

Operating Activities

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of taxes

Depreciation and amortization

Minority interest (income) expense

Gain on sale of business and property

Noncash restructuring and unusual items

Deferred income tax expense

Other noncash items

Net changes in current accounts, excluding the effects of acquisitions 

and dispositions

Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing Activities

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Acquisition of capital equipment and technology

Proceeds from sale of business and property, net of cash divested

Advances to affiliate, net

2000

1999

1998

$     15,142

$     17,778

$     17,995

870

9,540

(576)

(1,700)

(506)

108

951

(5,391)

18,438

(3,302)

(1,200)

4,109

88,076

—

8,928

921

(11,154)

3,239

1,572

129

(4,208)

17,205

(2,607)

(500)

13,592

(93,780)

—

8,492

999

(536)

—

2,090

562

2,335

31,937

(964)

—

—

—

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

(132,058)

(61,825)

(70,882)

Proceeds from sale and maturities of available-for-sale investments

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

Other

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Financing Activities

Redemption of subsidiary common stock

Purchases of company and subsidiary common stock

Purchases of subsidiary common stock from Thermo Electron

Net proceeds from issuance of company and subsidiary common stock

Repayment of long-term obligations

Net cash used in financing activities

Exchange Rate Effect on Cash

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

92,424

(6,355)

757

42,451

(34,603)

—

—

1,204

(313)

(33,712)

(3,970)

23,207

39,254

63,565

(3,903)

631

59,200

(7,773)

(532)

(84,827)

(20,951)

—

(5,804)

(2,227)

551

—

(7,480)

(1,116)

(76,218)

115,472

—

(6,598)

—

405

—

(6,193)

(969)

3,824

111,648

$   62,461

$   39,254

$ 115,472

10

2 0 0 0

T h e r m o   F i b e r t e k   I n c .  

s u m m a r y   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

R e p o r t   o f   I n d e p e n d e n t   P u b l i c   A c c o u n t a n t s

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Thermo Fibertek Inc.:

We have audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, the consolidated balance sheet

of Thermo Fibertek Inc. (a Delaware corporation and 91%-owned subsidiary of Thermo Electron Corporation) and subsidiaries as

of December 30, 2000, and January 1, 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and

shareholders’ investment, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2000, appearing in the

company’s Form 10-K (not presented herein), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be obtained by

shareholders or other interested parties. In our report dated February 12, 2001, also appearing in the company’s Form 10-K, we

expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. 

In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2000,

and January 1, 2000, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for each of the three years in

the period ended December 30, 2000, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements

from which it has been derived.

Effective January 2, 2000, the company changed its method of accounting for revenue recognition.

Boston, Massachusetts

February 12, 2001

S e l e c t e d   F i n a n c i a l   I n f o r m a t i o n

(in thousands except per share amounts)

2000

1999

1998

1997        

1996

Statement of Income Data

Revenues

Income Before Cumulative Effect of 
Change in Accounting Principle

Net Income 

Earnings per Share Before Cumulative Effect of 

Change in Accounting Principle:

Basic

Diluted

Earnings per Share:

Basic

Diluted

Balance Sheet Data

Working Capital

Total Assets

Long-Term Obligations

Common Stock of Subsidiary Subject

to Redemption

Shareholders’ Investment

$234,913

$228,036

$247,426

$239,642

$192,209

16,012

15,142

17,778

17,778

17,995

17,995

16,426

16,426

19,894

19,894

.26

.26

.25

.25

.29

.29

.29

.29

.29

.29

.29

.29

.27

.26

.27

.26

.33

.31

.33

.31

$173,097

$   158,711

$193,446

$176,996

$115,609

414,215

154,650

442,577

154,350

427,100

153,000

418,938

153,000

257,232

34

—

—

53,801

52,812

56,087

170,633

164,070

150,948

138,095

130,850

11

2 0 0 0

T h e r m o   F i b e r t e k   I n c .  

s u m m a r y   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

S h a r e h o l d e r   S e r v i c e s

Shareholders of Thermo Fibertek Inc. who desire information about the company are invited to contact the Investor Relations

Department, Thermo Fibertek Inc., 81 Wyman Street, P.O. Box 9046, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9046, (781) 622-1111.

Company information is also available at www.thermofibertek.com.

S t o c k   T r a n s f e r   A g e n t

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the stock transfer agent and maintains shareholder activity records. The agent will

respond to questions on issuance of stock certificates, change of ownership, lost stock certificates, and change of address. For

these and similar matters, please direct inquiries to: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Shareholder Services Department,

59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, (718) 921-8200.

D i v i d e n d   P o l i c y

The company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future because its

policy has been to use earnings to finance expansion and growth. Payment of dividends will rest within the discretion of the

board of directors and will depend upon, among other factors, the company’s earnings, capital requirements, and financial

condition.

F o r m   1 0 - K   R e p o r t

A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2000, as filed with the Securities and Exchange

Commission, may be obtained at no charge by contacting the Investor Relations Department, Thermo Fibertek Inc., 81 Wyman

Street, P.O. Box 9046, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454-9046, (781) 622-1111.

A n n u a l   M e e t i n g

The annual meeting of shareholders will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2001, at 3:00 p.m. at The Westin Hotel, 70 Third Avenue,

Waltham, Massachusetts.

F o r w a r d - L o o k i n g   S t a t e m e n t s

The following constitutes a “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This summary annual

report, other than the historical financial information, contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and

uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking

statements are set forth under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” in the General and Financial Information Appendix to

this summary annual report. These include risks and uncertainties relating to: dependence on the paper industry and pulp and

paper prices, international operations, competition, ability to enter the composites market, dependence on patents and

proprietary rights, acquisition strategy, and the proposed spinoff of the company.

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T h e r m o   F i b e r t e k   I n c .  

s u m m a r y   a n n u a l   r e p o r t

B o a r d   o f   D i r e c t o r s

Richard F. Syron  –  Chairman of the Board; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Thermo Electron Corporation 

(instrument systems, components, and services)

Francis L. McKone  –  Chairman of the Board, Albany International Corp. (supplier of paper machine fabrics)

Donald E. Noble  –   Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Rubbermaid Incorporated (diversified 

plastics products)

William A. Rainville  –  President and Chief Executive Officer; Chief Operating Officer, Recycling and Resource Recovery, 

Thermo Electron Corporation 

O f f i c e r s

William A. Rainville  –  President and Chief Executive Officer

Thomas M. O’Brien  –  Executive Vice President, Finance

Jonathan W. Painter  –  Executive Vice President, Operations 

Jan-Eric Bergstedt  –  Vice President

Paul E. Kiernan  –  Vice President

Edward J. Sindoni  –  Vice President

Theo Melas-Kyriazi  –  Chief Financial Officer 

Anne Pol  –  Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Seth H. Hoogasian  –  General Counsel

Kenneth J. Apicerno  –  Treasurer

Sandra L. Lambert  –  Secretary

The intent of this summary annual report is to provide useful information on Thermo Fibertek Inc. in a format that is both concise and cost-

effective. The company’s complete audited financial statements are included in the General and Financial Information Appendix, distributed with

the proxy statement and available in other cases upon request.

This report is printed with soy inks on recycled paper.