Frozen Food Express Industries said Tuesday it will reduce its non-driving employee payroll by about 12%, to cut costs, and that a planned equipment sale was ahead of schedule.

Frozen Food Express Industries said its first-quarter loss doubled from a year ago despite higher tonnage and revenue.

Stoney “Mit” Stubbs Jr., CEO of Frozen Food Express Industries, will retire Monday, the company said.

Trade groups representing the food, shipping and trucking industries have voiced caution and opposition to a plan by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create a potentially sweeping array of regulations governing safe food transportation practices.

Refrigerated carrier Frozen Food Express Industries narrowed its loss to $3.7 million, or 22 cents a share, in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $6.1 million, or 36 cents, a year ago.