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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                 CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934




                         DATE OF REPORT: AUGUST 27, 2003
                        (Date of earliest event reported)



                             POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



                                                                     
                NEVADA                                0-6050                     88-0106100
    (State or other jurisdiction of          (Commission File Number)         (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                                         Identification Number)


           8550 MOSLEY DRIVE
            HOUSTON, TEXAS                                                       77075-1180
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                                         (Zip Code)



                                 (713) 944-6900
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


                                       N/A
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


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ITEM 7 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     On August 27, 2003, Powell Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: POWL) announced
results for the fiscal 2003 third quarter ended July 31, 2003. A copy of the
press release announcing the results is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and
incorporated herein by this reference.

(c) Exhibits:

    EXHIBIT
    NUMBER                   DESCRIPTION
  -----------                -----------
     99.1           Press Release dated August 27, 2003.


ITEM 12 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

     On August 27, 2003, the Company held a conference call to discuss its
fiscal 2003 third quarter results, as reflected in the attached press release
dated August 27, 2003 released earlier that day. A copy of the transcript of the
conference call can be accessed through the "News" tab at www.powellind.com. The
transcript contains forward looking statements, which are made pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Readers are cautioned that such forward looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties in that actual results may differ materially from those projected
in the forward looking statements. In the course of operations, the Company is
subject to certain risk factors, including but not limited to competition and
competitive pressures, sensitivity to general economic and industrial
conditions, international political and economic risks, availability and price
of raw materials and execution of business strategy. The information in this
Current Report is being furnished pursuant to Item 12, Results of Operations and
Financial Condition. Pursuant to general instruction B.6. of Form 8-K, the
information in this Current Report shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes
of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that Section. The information in this Current Report shall not be
incorporated by reference into any registration statement pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                        POWELL INDUSTRIES, INC.


Date:  August 29, 2003                  By: /s/ DON R. MADISON
                                            ---------------------------------
                                               Don R. Madison
                                               Vice President
                                               Chief Financial Officer
                                               (Principal Accounting and
                                                Financial Officer)