Niagara Falls was in the midst of a building boom in the 1920s.

But rather than hotels and casinos, that building boom was all about harnessing the raw power of the mighty Niagara River and building the Sir Adam Beck One hydro generating station.

George Qua and his business partner Charles Blythe were anticipating a lot of growth in the area generated by the power plant.

On March 26, 1926, they opened Niagara Plumbing Supply in a small shop at Buchanan Avenue and Ferry Street with one truck and six employees.

A decade later, the Great Depression hit, but Qua managed to keep his plumbing and heating wholesale business operating through the worst of it.

Another decade passed and the business was in the midst of the war years and building materials were scarce, but Qua once again persevered in keeping his company running.

That history is a matter of pride for the current owner, George Qua, 67, who began working in his father's shop as a teenager.

"It took a whole lot of perseverance," he said.

With the hardships his father faced behind him, George Qua saw the business begin growing under his leadership.

By the early 1960s, the business had outgrown its original location and in 1964 it moved to 1605 Stamford St., near the intersection of Valley Way.

Before long, that location was expanded from 1,350 to 3,240 square meters (15,000 to 36,000-square-feet).

In 1989, Niagara Plumbing Supply was relocated to its current 6,300-square-metre (70,000 square feet) location at 4300 Stanley Ave. -- the former home of the Herbert Morris Crane Co.

In recent years the business, which now employs 105 people, has been growing in other ways. A "family of companies" is being developed.

A second Niagara Plumbing Supply location was opened in St. Catharines. Niagrow Systems, which specializes in heating and irrigation for greenhouses, was established in 1984. Gladding Sales Agency, which supplies sewer and water-main contractors, was purchased in 1990. Bathworks and More, the business's retail outlet, was established in 1995, and Millen Marine and Industrial Supply in Port Colborne, a long-standing supplier of marine and industrial supplies, was purchased last year.

"We're gradually trying to grow and expand into Hamilton and other areas," Qua said, adding expansion is "a long slow process."

The recent growth and success hasn't happened by accident, said Jim Arnold, the vice-president of administration.

"It's a lot of hard work, inventory management and dedication."

"A vision of where the industry's going is a prerequisite," added Jack Keon, vice-president and general manager. "There's continual changes going on and you have to adapt to those changes."

Keeping on top of technological change is a key element in ensuring a business's longevity.

"It's probably one of the main criteria today and how that technology adapts to the industry that we're in," Keon said.

One technology the business has embraced is hydronic heating, a system that uses hot water pumped through pipes installed below the floor to warm a room.

Over the years, Qua has had a few offers from big businesses hoping to buy the company, but he isn't selling.

"We just wanted it kept in the family as long as we can," he said.

Arnold said there are some advantages to being a relatively small family-owned business.

"We feel we do a very good job of servicing our customers and that's our strength," he said. "We try to find niche markets that no one else does."

Qua has no plans for retirement anytime soon. He enjoys his job too much.

"It's a lifestyle," he said.

Three of Qua's six children are working at the business and when he finally does retire, he hopes his children will carry on the business for another generation, at least.

One of his sons, James Qua, 34, recently started working in the company's marketing department.

He said everyone in the family is involved, not just his siblings who work there full time.

They have regular family meetings and discuss the company to "keep in tune with what's going on.

"There's a real interest from the entire family," he explained.

In another way, he said the business has expanded his family by about 105 people.

"Everyone here is family, not just the family members," he said, adding he's known some of the company's employees for most of his life.

James Qua has had his work cut out for him as the 75th anniversary celebration nears.

They're planning a huge party at the Sheraton Fallsview on Friday for about 800 guests including customers, suppliers, employees and friends from across Canada.

James Qua has spent hours looking through old pictures and documents.

Among the old black-and-white pictures, he found the first cheque Niagara Plumbing Supply ever issued for $3.50. The cheque was written against the same bank account the business currently has at CIBC -- just one example of the many long-standing business relationships Niagara Plumbing Supply has maintained over the years.

The company has also maintained long-standing relationships with organizations like the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating, for which it was recently honoured, he said.

Community involvement has always been an interest for the company.

It regularly helps out Habitat for Humanity Canada, local hospitals, the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara and other organizations, sports teams and service clubs.

Niagara Falls is at the start of another building boom.

The huge hotels being built that will change the city's skyline are just the start of it and just like the founders of Niagara Plumbing Supply, the current generation is looking towards the future with anticipation.

"We're hoping that when the new casino starts being built, there's obviously substantial dollars there, about $800 or $900 million," Arnold said. "We want to be able to be part of that."