Exhibit 12.1 United Stationers Inc. Ratio of Earning to Fixed Charges Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------ 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Income before income tax and extraordinary item $ 3,743 $10,396 $11,371 $ 55,548 $ 81,418 Fixed charges 8,135 8,725 50,919 63,723 58,344 ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Total $11,878 $19,121 $62,290 $119,271 $139,762 ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Interest expense $ 7,235 $ 7,725 $46,186 $ 57,456 $ 51,511 One-third of operating rental expense 900 1,000 4,733 6,267 6,833 ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Fixed charges $ 8,135 $ 8,725 $50,919 $ 63,723 $ 58,344 ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.5x 2.2x 1.2x 1.9x 2.4x ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- Note: Income before income tax and extraordinary item exclude $67.4 million of non-recurring charges.