Exhibit 12.1 STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS Computation of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends Six Months (thousands of dollars) Year Ended September 30, Ended ------------------------------------------------------------- March 31, 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Fixed Charges Computation Interest expensed and capitalized $ 2,220 $ 4,178 $ 3,603 $ 145 $ 417 $ 6,500 Amortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness 2,046 2,075 3,034 79 136 1,604 Estimate of interest within rental expense 47 131 26 20 72 542 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Fixed Charges 4,313 6,384 6,663 244 625 8,646 Preferred equity dividends 337 466 378 113 - - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Fixed Charges and Preferred Equity Dividends $ 4,650 $ 6,850 $ 7,041 $ 357 $ 625 $ 8,646 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Earnings Computation Pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from equity investees $(10,916) $(28,402) $ 8,642 $ 14,468 $ 40,236 $ 24,791 Plus Fixed charges 4,650 6,850 7,041 357 625 8,646 Minus Interest capitalized 1,390 - - - - 36 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Earnings $ (7,656) $(21,552) $ 15,683 $ 14,825 $ 40,861 $ 33,401 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends N/A N/A 2.23 41.53 65.38 3.86 Dollar amount of Deficiency $(12,306) $(28,402) N/A N/A N/A N/A