EXHIBIT 12.1 AEARO COMPANY CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) Year Ended September 30, ------------------------------------------------------ 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- EARNINGS: Pre tax income (loss) from continuing operations....... $ 10,197 $ 12,532 $ (3,841) $ 11,068 $ 23,290 Fixed Charges ......................................... 26,252 26,589 25,846 22,684 21,561 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings as defined ................................... $ 36,449 $ 39,121 $ 22,005 $ 33,752 $ 44,851 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- FIXED CHARGE: Interest Expense, net ................................. $ 24,422 $ 24,479 $ 23,755 $ 20,091 $ 19,456 Interest component of operating lease ................. 1,830 2,110 2,091 2,593 2,105 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Fixed charges as defined .............................. $ 26,252 $ 26,589 $ 25,846 $ 22,684 $ 21,561 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges .................... 1.4 1.5 1.5 2.1 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Note: Earnings for the year ended September 30, 2001 was insufficient to cover fixed charges by $3.8 million.