Vention Buys Fast Forward Medical

Vention Medical, a contract design, engineering and manufacturing firm for complex medical devices and components, has acquired Fast Forward Medical.

According to a release from the venture capital group that owns Vention Medical, this most recent acquisition expands the firm’s portfolio of advanced component technology offerings for the development and manufacture of catheter-based devices used in interventional, surgical and minimally invasive procedures. Fast Forward, located in Plymouth, Minn. (just outside Minneapolis), broadens Vention’s current offering, which includes medical balloons, catheters, multi-layer extrusions, heat shrink tubing, polyimide and micro-tubing for catheter assemblies and minimally invasive medical devices.

Fast Forward’s team of management shareholders will continue to lead business following the acquisition.

“The addition of Fast Forward Medical further strengthens Vention’s ability to deliver complex, industry-leading component and catheter technologies to our customers. The Minneapolis area is a strategic region for us, allowing us to further align with our customers and continue to provide the best solutions available in this market,” said Dan Croteau, CEO of Vention Medical. “We are excited to partner with this talented team of experienced industry experts as they continue to lead the Fast Forward business and enhance our advanced components offering.”

Brady Hatcher, co-founder and principal of Fast Forward Medical said: “In joining Vention, our combined experience and expertise allows us to elevate the level of innovation and service we provide to our customers. Vention’s renowned Advanced Polymer balloon technologies, together with its global footprint, fits perfectly with our strategic vision of providing the most innovative and complex catheter solutions to our customers every step of the way—from design to manufacture. This is the vision we have built our business on, and Vention’s strategic customer focus in these areas aligns perfectly with our expertise in braided catheter shafts and catheter technologies.

Fast Forward was founded in late 2007. The company specializes in component technology focused on design and early stage manufacturing with expertise in catheter design and assembly. The founders of Fast Forward have particular expertise in braided shafts and complex catheter design.

Founded in 1996, KRG Capital Partners is a Denver, Colo.-based private equity buyout firm that made its initial investment in Vention Medical in May 2008.

Vention has multiple U.S. locations.