EXHIBIT 12.01

 

CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

     2000

    2001

    2002

    2003

    2004

 

EARNINGS:

                                        

Income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest, reversal of loss on discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting changes

   $ 13,829     $ (22,295 )   $ (27,778 )   $ (42,330 )   $ (5,329 )

Fixed charges

     41,776       49,997       47,245       54,288       51,912  

Less capitalized interest expense

     (852 )     0       0       0       0  
    


 


 


 


 


Earnings

   $ 54,753     $ 27,702     $ 19,467     $ 11,958     $ 46,583  
    


 


 


 


 


FIXED CHARGES:

                                        

Interest expense

   $ 35,730     $ 43,492     $ 39,938     $ 47,227     $ 46,214  

Amortization of debt issuance costs (premiums)

     737       1,566       1,534       (214 )     (876 )

Estimate of the interest cost within rental expense

     4,457       4,939       5,773       7,275       6,574  

Capitalized interest expense

     852       0       0       0       0  
    


 


 


 


 


Fixed charges

   $ 41,776     $ 49,997     $ 47,245     $ 54,288     $ 51,912  
    


 


 


 


 


Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     1.31       0.55 (1)     0.41 (1)     0.22 (1)     0.90 (1)
    


 


 


 


 



(1) The 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The cover deficiency was $5.3 million, $ 42.3 million, $27.8 million and $22.3 million for 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.