In conversation: Stefano Arlunno on Mangusta's brand evolution

Stefano Arlunno on reimagining the superyacht experience and a new era for the Overmarine brand.

Overmarine’s Mangusta brand has long been synonymous with speed, style and Italian craftsmanship. We sat down with Stefano Arlunno, President of Mangusta Yachts USA, to discuss the brand’s evolution, its expanding portfolio, and the future of superyacht design.

Overmarine has carved out a distinctive identity with the Mangusta brand. How has the company’s vision evolved over the past decade, and what does the next chapter look like?

Mangusta has always stood for comfort and performance, with a sporty soul and cutting-edge technology. Over the past decade, and under the exceptional leadership of Maurizio Balducci as CEO of Overmarine Group, we’ve focused on reinforcing the brand’s reputation, particularly in the semi-custom metal segment, offering yachts up to 500 GT. At the same time, we’ve been selective in introducing a few special projects over 500 GT.

A key milestone has been doubling our production capacity in Pisa – from 22,000 to 44,000 square-metres – enabling us to build up to eight metal yachts at once. Simultaneously, we are advancing new, innovative projects in the GRP segment, ranging from 30 to 40 metres.

What have been the most significant business decisions that helped Overmarine remain competitive in the fast-evolving superyacht market?

A pivotal move was expanding beyond the maxi open segment to reach a broader client base, particularly by addressing the fast displacement market. Another transformative decision was entering metal production with the launch of our first displacement vessel, the Mangusta Oceano 43. Since its debut in 2016, we’ve delivered more than twenty metal yachts – a testament to the market’s enthusiastic response.

Overmarine has expanded both its product lines and global footprint. How do you approach new market development, especially in regions with emerging UHNW demand?

The United States is a crucial market for us, where we operate a dedicated office in Miami Beach along with an after-sales department. Europe remains equally important in terms of sales. As for emerging markets, our strategy is to thoroughly analyse new regions and invest in direct offices and personnel. Our discerning clients expect a strong, personal connection with the shipyard – and with the Balducci family, one of the last Italian family-owned shipyards in the sector.

The Mangusta Oceano and GranSport lines signal a move toward full-displacement and fast-displacement yachts. How did these innovations come about, and how are clients responding?

After delivering over 320 yachts, we recognised a growing demand from long-time Mangusta owners for vessels that could accommodate extended family cruising – often with children and grandchildren. The Mangusta Oceano range was a natural evolution of our maxi open yachts. From the outset, the brief was to retain the Mangusta DNA – defined by innovation and extraordinary features – while creating something distinctive.

The Oceano 43, launched in 2016, set the tone with its metal construction, bow swimming pool with infinity effect, expansive beach club, and bow garage – features previously seen only on much larger vessels. The GranSport line, meanwhile, was conceived to bridge the gap between fast maxi open yachts and displacement yachts, blending sleek, sporty lines with generous volume and performance. The market’s response has been nothing short of phenomenal.

In your view, what is the most exciting technological or experiential trend shaping the future of superyacht design and ownership?

For us, the extreme use of glass, sliding doors and innovative openings is the most exciting frontier. Advances in glass production now allow us to evolve from floor-to-ceiling windows and seamless water connections to what is essentially a transparent overwater villa. We are eliminating bulkheads and incorporating massive glass panels – a trend mirroring developments in luxury real estate.

Mangusta’s evergreen, emotional and dynamic design, famously embodied in our maxi open yachts, is being reinterpreted through this transparent aesthetic. We’re applying it everywhere: from yacht pools to skylights and beach areas. Clients today want to maximise exterior spaces and dissolve the boundaries between inside and out. This is why we’re among the few shipyards using the same designer for both interiors and exteriors, ensuring a smooth, harmonious integration.