EXHIBIT 2

             [LETTERHEAD OF AZTEC MANUFACTURING CO. APPEARS HERE]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              For Further Information Contact:
                              Dana Perry, VP and CFO
                              Aztec Manufacturing Co.
                              817-297-4361


For Release 9/1/99, 10:30AM Eastern         Release #99-08


   Aztec Manufacturing Co. Completes Purchase of Electrical Products Company

Crowley, Texas, September 1, 1999 -- Aztec Manufacturing Co. (NYSE-AZZ) today
announced that it has completed the purchase of the operating assets of ABB
Power T & D's Compressed Gas Insulation Transmission Bus Duct Division, located
in Westborough, Massachusetts.  Aztec previously announced on July 20, 1999,
that it had signed an agreement to purchase the company.

L.C. Martin, Chairman and CEO of Aztec, said, "This addition to Aztec's
Manufactured Products Segment will generate approximately $12 million in annual
revenue and should be immediately accretive to our earnings.  The business now
will operate under the name CGIT Westboro, Inc."

CGIT provides the global electrical utility industry with a compact, reliable
and economical alternative to conventional underground cable systems and
overhead lines for power transmission.  CGIT pioneered the technology that uses
SF6 gas as an insulator for transmitting bulk electrical power.  Founded in
1960, CGIT has built a strong reputation as a leading worldwide supplier of
compressed gas insulated bus ducts.

Mr. Martin noted that CGIT's operations would remain in Westborough under the
current management team.  "Aztec is committed to a smooth and orderly
transition, and we will maintain a strong working relationship with ABB.
Customers will receive the same level of service and support they enjoyed under
the ABB organization."

ABB Power T & D Company is a unit of ABB Ltd. Zurich, Switzerland.  ABB, with
U.S. headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut, serves customers in the power
generation, transmission and distribution; oil, gas and petrochemical;
industrial products and contracting; and financial services industries.  In
1998, ABB had U.S. orders of approximately $6.1 billion and employed about
20,000 at facilities in 41 states.  ABB


Group reported worldwide orders of $31 billion in 1998. ABB employs
approximately 160,000 people in more than 100 countries.

Aztec is a manufacturer of electrical and tubular products that serve a broad
range of customers in the industrial, power generation and petroleum industries.
In addition, the company is a leading provider of galvanizing services in the
United States.  Aztec reported record revenues of approximately $81 million for
the year ending February 28, 1999.

Forward-looking statements in this release involve a number of risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected
results.  These risks and uncertainties are described in detail in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                      ###