Study: Spanish suppliers to AWS data centers report higher revenue and hiring

Revenue and profit gains among local suppliers

AWS opened its data centers in Aragón, Spain, in 2022. The new study is based on interviews with suppliers to the facilities and a random sample of local companies in the same sectors that do not work with AWS.

According to the study, 85% of local suppliers say working with AWS has had a positive impact on their business, and none rated it negatively. More than half of suppliers (60%) have increased their revenue since they began working with AWS. Among those reporting a positive impact, the average increase was 35%, which is 9 points above non-suppliers (26%). In addition, 53% of suppliers report an increase in net profit, compared with 33% of non-suppliers.

Jaime Valimañas, CEO of GILVA, a precast concrete company from Teruel, said: "In just three years, our revenue tied to AWS-related projects has grown more than sixfold, and we've increased our workforce by around 15%."

Jobs and new lines of business

Employment is one of the most notable findings, according to the report. Nearly 60% of AWS suppliers in Spain have increased their workforce, versus 41% of non-suppliers. On average, roughly 1 in 5 of their employees work on AWS-related projects.

Javier Giral, CEO of Giral Excavaciones y Obras, said his company raised its revenue by nearly 22% and expanded its workforce by 25%, going from 24 to 30 employees, thanks to projects tied to the construction of the data centers.

The study also points to new business. 22% of suppliers have opened at least one new line of business thanks to their work with AWS, versus 9% of unconnected companies. Among suppliers operating internationally, 21% credit AWS with enabling that expansion. More than 12% of local suppliers have expanded, or are in the process of expanding, their work to other AWS Regions worldwide. Amazon presents this as a sign that expertise developed in Aragón is creating opportunities beyond Spain's borders.

Investment plans and outlook

Amazon plans to invest €33.7 billion ($37.5 billion) in Spain through 2035 to expand and support this infrastructure. The company estimates the planned investment will contribute €31.7 billion to Spain's GDP through 2035, supporting the equivalent of 29,900 full-time jobs on average per year at local companies, including direct, indirect and induced jobs.

Suppliers are optimistic about the coming years: 75% expect to grow over the next 2 to 3 years, versus 30% of non-suppliers. More than a quarter (27%) report greater financial and operational stability since they began working with AWS, and 3 in 10 say the collaboration has given them greater confidence and flexibility in their business decisions.

What it means for the region

Eva Valle, minister of economy, competitiveness and employment of the Government of Aragón, said the value of such an investment lies in how it spreads across the economy, in small and medium-sized companies that are growing and hiring. Suzana Curic, country leader of AWS for Spain and Portugal, said: "Our commitment is to remain an engine of opportunity for the local economy."

The findings come from a study commissioned by AWS, so the results reflect the company's own commissioned research. The comparison with non-supplier companies in the same sectors gives a reference point, though the source does not detail the sample sizes or methodology beyond the interviews and random sample described.