Minelli Group S.p.A., an international leader in developing and producing specialty wood products, from intricate gun stocks to designer eyeglass frames, has chosen to locate their first US manufacturing operation in Hickory, Catawba County. The company has purchased an 18,000 square foot building located at 1245 26thStreet SE in Hickory, investing more than $2M in new equipment and creating 12 new jobs immediately. The location, called Minelli USA, will allow the company to transfer existing US business from Italy to the Hickory plant and to grow their product offerings in the United States.