<Page> Exhibit 12.1 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES <Table> <Caption> Historical Pro forma ------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------- For the (unaudited) Nine months fiscal year For the nine ended ended months ended Fiscal year ended December 31, September 30, December 31, September 30, ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------------------- 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002 2001 2002 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------------------- (in thousands, except ratios) Earnings: Income (loss) before income taxes 5,147 (891) 1,068 8,702 36 (424) 1,804 (13,752) 1,799 Add: Fixed charges 1,390 2,728 4,682 5,460 9,177 6,434 21,729 25,274 9,884 ----------------------------------------- ----------------- -------------------- Total earnings 6,537 1,837 5,750 14,162 9,213 6,010 23,533 11,522 11,683 Fixed Charges: Interest 1,110 2,410 4,083 4,858 8,230 5,795 20,536 24,327 8,368 Amortization of debt issue costs -- 242 565 Interest factor of rental expense (a) 280 318 599 602 947 639 951 947 951 ----------------------------------------- ----------------- -------------------- Total fixed charges 1,390 2,728 4,682 5,460 9,177 6,434 21,729 25,274 9,884 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.70 0.67 1.23 2.59 1.00 0.93 1.08 0.46 1.18 (a) COMPUTATION OF INTEREST FACTOR OF RENTAL EXPENSE Rental expense 841 954 1,797 1,805 2,842 1,917 2,853 2,842 2,853 Interest factor 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% ----------------------------------------- ----------------- -------------------- Total 280 318 599 602 947 639 951 947 951 </Table>