EXHIBIT 12.1 COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) <Table> <Caption> EIGHT MONTHS YEARS ENDED ENDED YEARS ENDED --------------------------- ------------- ---------------------------- APRIL 30, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 2000 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings: Income/(Loss) before extraordinary item $ 9,079 $10,685 $ 4,184 $(2,757) $ 3,836 $ 2,736 Interest expense including amortization of debt issuance costs 6,630 7,816 13,387 11,754 22,786 25,906 Interest portion of Rental Expense 438 467 436 302 596 632 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total Earnings $16,147 $18,968 $18,007 $ 9,299 $27,218 $29,274 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Fixed costs: Interest expense including amortization of debt issuance costs $ 6,630 $ 7,816 $13,387 $11,754 $22,786 $25,906 Interest portion of Rental Expense 438 467 436 302 596 632 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total Fixed Charges $ 7,068 $ 8,283 $13,823 $12,056 $23,382 $26,538 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of Earnings/(Loss) to Fixed Charges 2.28x 2.29x 1.30x 0.77x 1.16x 1.10x ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Earnings to Fixed Charges Deficiency $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 2,757 $ -- $ -- ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= </Table> <Table> <Caption> SIX MONTHS ENDED ----------------------- JUNE 30, ----------------------- 2000 2001 -------- -------- Earnings: Income/(Loss) before extraordinary item $ (5,006) $(28,021) Interest expense including amortization of debt issuance costs 12,432 13,182 Interest portion of Rental Expense 319 358 -------- -------- Total Earnings $ 7,745 $(14,481) ======== ======== Fixed costs: Interest expense including amortization of debt issuance costs $ 12,432 $13,182 Interest portion of Rental Expense 319 358 -------- ------- Total Fixed Charges $ 12,751 $ 13,540 ======== ======== Ratio of Earnings/(Loss) to Fixed Charges 0.61x (1.07x) ======== ======== Earnings to Fixed Charges Deficiency $ 5,006 $ 28,021 ======== ======== </Table>