<Page>
EXHIBIT 12.1 - PAGE 1 OF 2
OWENS-ILLINOIS GROUP, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Millions of dollars, except ratios)
<Table>
<Caption>
Years ended December 31,
----------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---------- -------- --------
Earnings before income taxes, minority share owners' interests, and
extraordinary items ........................................................... $ 667.2 $ 158.4 $ 497.8
Less: Equity earnings ............................................................ (19.4) (19.8) (22.3)
Add: Total fixed charges deducted from earnings .................................. 448.4 499.2 452.4
Proportional share of pre-tax earnings of 50% owned associates .............. 10.4 11.0 10.6
Dividends received from less than 50% owned associates ...................... 9.9 14.5 9.8
---------- -------- --------
Earnings available for payment of fixed charges ........................... $ 1,116.5 $ 663.3 $ 948.3
========== ======== ========
Fixed charges (including the Company's proportional share of 50% owned associates):
Interest expense ............................................................ $ 414.2 $ 476.6 $ 417.0
Portion of operating lease rental deemed to be interest ..................... 14.3 12.5 26.5
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount expense .......... 19.9 10.1 8.9
---------- -------- --------
Total fixed charges deducted from earnings and total fixed charges ............... $ 448.4 $ 499.2 $ 452.4
========== ======== ========
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ............................................... 2.5 1.3 2.1
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EXHIBIT 12.1 - PAGE 2 OF 2
OWENS-ILLINOIS GROUP, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Millions of dollars, except ratios)
<Table>
<Caption>
Years ended December 31,
------------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Earnings before income taxes, minority share owners' interests, and
extraordinary items ............................................... $ 459.0 $ 452.3
Less: Equity earnings ............................................... (16.0) (17.9)
Add: Total fixed charges deducted from earnings ..................... 404.8 324.1
Proportional share of pre-tax earnings of 50% owned associates . 7.2 2.8
Dividends received from less than 50% owned associates ......... 6.6 4.8
-------- --------
Earnings available for payment of fixed charges ............. $ 861.1 $ 766.1
======== ========
Fixed charges (including the Company's proportional share of 50% owned
associates):
Interest expense .................................................. $ 372.6 $ 298.7
Portion of operating lease rental deemed to be interest ........... 24.8 21.3
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount expense 7.4 4.1
-------- --------
Total fixed charges deducted from earnings and total fixed charges ... $ 404.8 $ 324.1
======== ========
Ratio of earning to fixed charges .................................... 2.1 2.4
</Table>