Exhibit 12.1 Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the last five years and September, 30, 2003 compared to same period: 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 9/30/2002 9/30/2003 Fixed charges: Interest 29.7 28.1 28 24.5 22.9 17.4 16 Rents 23.3 19.6 19.9 24.4 25.2 18.9 20.55 Interest factor 31% 31% 31% 31% 31% 31% 31% ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- Rental interest 7.3 6.1 6.2 7.6 7.8 5.9 6.4 Total Fixed Charges 37.0 34.2 34.2 32.1 30.7 23.3 22.4 Earnings: Pretax income 19.8 24.4 31.3 25.4 30.3 23.4 -8 Cumulative effect 18.1 of accounting change Fixed charges 37.0 34.2 34.2 32.1 30.7 23.3 22.4 - ------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings 56.8 58.6 65.5 57.5 61.0 46.7 32.5 Ratio 1.54 1.71 1.92 1.79 1.99 2.01 1.45