Exhibit 12.1 COYNE INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES CORP. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (dollars in thousands) Six Months Year Ended October 31, Ended April 30, ---------------------------------------------------- ------------------- 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1997 1998 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary item and cumulative effect of change in accounting principles $ 2,563 $ (224) $ 1,341 $ 1,393 $ 4,077 $ 1,662 $(15,673) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Fixed charges: Interest on loans and notes $ 4,451 $ 5,292 $ 5,706 $ 6,198 $ 6,130 $ 3,118 $ 3,107 Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount $ 208 $ 224 $ 548 $ 588 $ 585 $ 292 $ 288 Interest component of rental expense $ 1,172 $ 1,268 $ 1,311 $ 883 $ 825 $ 423 $ 393 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges included in earnings $ 5,831 $ 6,784 $ 7,565 $ 7,669 $ 7,540 $ 3,833 $ 3,788 Capitalized interest $ 128 $ 97 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges $ 5,831 $ 6,784 $ 7,693 $ 7,766 $ 7,540 $ 3,833 $ 3,788 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary item, cumulative effect of change in accounting principles and fixed charges $ 8,394 $ 6,560 $ 8,906 $ 9,062 $ 11,617 $ 5,495 $(11,885) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.440 -- 1.158 1.167 1.541 1.434 -- ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Deficiency of earnings to fixed charges -- $ (224) $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $(15,673) ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========