FREEPORT – Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers of Auburn has been honored with one of two 2005 Gannett Family Business of the Year Awards at the sixth annual awards dinner held Tuesday.

Moser was named the winner in the large business category, which is for businesses with 50 or more employees. Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home of Ellsworth won in the small business category.

The annual awards ceremony is a program of the Institute for Family-Owned Business, a nonprofit organization based at the University of Southern Maine that was established in 1995 to support family-owned businesses.

The Gannett Family Business of the Year Awards were established in 1999 to recognize family businesses that demonstrate creativity in ensuring their company’s vitality, while maintaining ties with their communities and stakeholders.

Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, with headquarters in Auburn and six showrooms throughout the country, are designers and builders of fine furniture. Formerly a Bates College professor, Tom Moser left teaching in 1972 to start making one-of-a-kind furniture in an old Grange Hall in New Gloucester. His wife, Mary, managed the selling and finances, while their four sons trained as apprentices.

In more than 30 years, the company has grown from a one-person operation to more than 60 cabinetmakers and 125 employees. The company serves residential, professional and academic customers worldwide.

The awards were announced by Maddy Corson, former chair of Guy Gannett Communications and a member of USM’s Institute for Family-Owned Business Advisory Board.

A total of 22 businesses throughout the state were nominated and evaluated by a panel of judges.

Family-owned businesses represent approximately 90 percent of all businesses in Maine, yet less than 30 percent survive to the second generation and only 13 percent make it to the third generation. The Institute for Family-Owned Business sponsors a range of seminars and workshops to help companies address such issues as compensation, communication, leadership development and succession planning. More information may be obtained by calling 780-5935, or by visiting www.usm.maine.edu/ifob.