EX-12.1 57 a2203967zex-12_1.htm EX-12.1
QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 12.1

Atkore International, Inc.

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated (dollars in millions):

 
  Period from
Dec. 23, 2010
through
March 25,
2011
  Period from
Sept 25, 2011
through
December 22,
2010
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  

Earnings:

                                           

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    (9 )   (3 )   20     (1,004 )   289     118     265  

Amortization of capitalized interest expense

                             

Capitalized interest

            (1 )   (1 )            

Fixed charges, as below

    14     12     52     46     30     16     31  
                               

Total earnings, as defined

    5     9     71     (959 )   319     134     296  
                               

Fixed charges:

                                           

Interest expense, net of capitalized portion

    13     11     48     41     26     12     27  

Capitalized interest

            1     1              

Rental expense, representative of interest

    1     1     3     4     4     4     4  
                               

Total fixed charges, as defined

    14     12     52     46     30     16     31  
                               

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    0.4     0.8     1.4     (20.8 )   10.6     8.4     9.5  
                               

ESTIMATE OF INTEREST WITHIN RENTAL EXPENSE

                                           

Total rent expense

    3     3     10     12     12     12     11  

Estimated percentage (based on SEC guidance)(a)

    33 %   33 %   33 %   33 %   33 %   33 %   33 %
                               

Estimated interest within rental expense

    1     1     3     4     4     4     4  
                               

Earnings were inadequate to cover total fixed charges by

    (9 )   (3 )         (1,005 )                  

(a)
One third of rent expense is deemed to be representative of interest.

        For purposes of calculating such ratios, 'earnings' consist of operating income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, capitalized interest, and an estimation of the portion of rent expense representative of the interest component within rent expense.




QuickLinks