Thomson Financial reported that the European Commission is seeking damages from elevator manufacturers ThyssenKrupp AG, United Technologies' Otis, Schindler Holding AG and Kone Oyj which were fined for participating in a cartel.

The Commission is seeking damages for extra costs incurred when their products were installed in European Union buildings.

Mr Maximilian Strotmann a spokesman for EU Administration, Mr Siim Kallas audit and fraud commissioner said that the EU executive is seeking damages as it is committed to its obligation to protect the public budget.

The spokesman said the commission is in dialogue with other EU institutions over the issue but could not elaborate further.

The EU executive in February fined the world's biggest four lift makers a total of 992.3 million euros for alleged cartel activity going back twelve years.

A spokeswoman for ThyssenKrupp Elevators confirmed that the company's Belgian unit has received a letter from the Commission seeking damages. But she declined to say how much the Commission is demanding as well as how the company plans to react to the demands. She said that "We have to examine the matter internally first.”