EXHIBIT 12
Apogent Technologies Inc.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
June 30, 2002
Nine Months
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, Ended
--------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30,
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense 24,999 33,772 40,073 48,684 48,698 30,804
Deferred financing 152 151 224 533 563 2,680
1/3 Rental expense 1,076 1,343 2,235 3,145 3,751 3,410
------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------
26,227 35,266 42,532 52,362 53,012 36,894
Earnings:
Pre tax income from
continuing operations 73,996 86,836 127,392 144,325 180,739 155,945
Add: Fixed charges 26,227 35,266 42,532 52,362 53,012 36,894
Earnings 100,223 122,102 169,924 196,687 233,751 192,839
Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges 3.8 3.5 4.0 3.8 4.4 5.2
================================================================== ==========
Rental Expense 3,229 4,028 6,704 9,434 11,253 10,230
================================================================== ==========