Giuseppe Balducci, founder and president of Overmarine Group has died.
Giuseppe was born in Limite sull’Arno in 1937 and began his career in the marine industry aged only 16 as an electrician in the Picchiotti shipyard where he worked until 1971 when the Viareggio-based boat builder declared bankruptcy.
In the same year, Giuseppe decided to set up his own business, Elettromare, which continues to manufacture marine electrical systems.
Even in its early days, Elettromare was known as a pioneering company that made electrical panels and systems for boats using cutting-edge equipment.
As part of his business activity, Giuseppe Balducci travelled extensively around Italy and the United States.
His travels led him to see first-hand how boat building was evolving, moving from the use of wood to that of fibreglass and this inspired him to open a factory in Massarosa (Lucca) for the construction of fibreglass yachts.
During the 1980s, Giuseppe’s vision proved to be far[1]sighted and the factory soon began to be used by boat builders for the construction of their hulls.
Shortly afterwards, Overmarine was established, specialising in the construction of fast maxi-open yachts with an unmistakable, timeless style.
World leader
The company rapidly became a world leader in the construction of vessels in this segment with around 85 units of the first maxi-open model, the Mangusta 80, sold in the following years.
In a statement, Overmarine Group said the company today is the result of the unfaltering enthusiasm of a man who believed in a great dream.
Giuseppe was also convinced of Viareggio’s potential and was one of the founding partners of two companies actively operating in the port of Viareggio, Udina and ArPeCa.
He also believed in keeping active and involved in the Overmarine Group, personally overseeing the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Pisa, which will be officially opened later this month.
“Giuseppe will always be remembered as a reserved man, with a subtle sense of humour and a great love for his wife Bruna, his children Maurizio and Katia, his beloved granddaughters, and all his employees, who, together with him, have built vessels that have become icons in the marine industry,” said a company spokesperson.
“This is the way the entire Overmarine team want to remember him, as they express their profound gratitude to him and extend their thoughts and condolences to the Balducci family.”
