EXHIBIT 24

                           SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY


THE STATE OF TEXAS  (S)
                    (S)                           KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS
COUNTY OF TARRANT   (S)

     THAT WE, the undersigned, of Tarrant County, Texas, have made, constituted,
and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute, and appoint L.C.
MARTIN, DANA L. PERRY, and SAM ROSEN, and each of them severally, our true and
lawful attorneys and agents to execute in our name, place, and stead (in such
capacity) the Form S-8 of AZTEC MANUFACTURING CO. and all amendments and
additions thereto ("Form S-8"), each of said attorneys and agents to have power
to act with or without the other and to have full power and authority to do and
perform in the name of and on behalf of each of the undersigned, as the case may
be, every act whatsoever necessary or advisable to be done in the premises as
fully and to all intents and purposes as any of the undersigned might or could
do in person, such power to extend to the execution of any amendment to the Form
S-8.

     WITNESS OUR HANDS this 22/nd/ day of September, 1999.


                                        /s/ L.C. MARTIN
                                        -----------------------
                                        L.C. MARTIN


                                        /s/ DAVID H. DINGUS
                                        -----------------------
                                        DAVID H. DINGUS


                                        /s/ ROBERT H. JOHNSON
                                        -----------------------
                                        ROBERT H. JOHNSON


                                        /s/ MARTIN C. BOWEN
                                        -----------------------
                                        MARTIN C. BOWEN


                                        /s/ DR. H. KIRK DOWNEY
                                        -----------------------
                                        DR. H. KIRK DOWNEY


                                        /s/ SAM ROSEN
                                        -----------------------
                                        SAM ROSEN


                                        /s/ KEVERN R. JOYCE
                                        -----------------------
                                        KEVERN R. JOYCE


                                        /s/ DANA L. PERRY
                                        -----------------------
                                        DANA L. PERRY


                                        /s/ R. J. SCHUMACHER
                                        -----------------------
                                        R. J. SCHUMACHER


                                        /s/ W. C. WALKER
                                        -----------------------
                                        W. C. WALKER