Amazon Web Services has announced a significant supply agreement with Rio Tinto's Nuton venture, securing a two-year copper supply contract from an Arizona mine. The deal is strategically positioned to support the growing infrastructure demands of AWS's artificial intelligence data centers.

Strategic Partnership Details

The partnership between AWS and Rio Tinto's Nuton venture represents a direct supply chain approach to meet the increasing copper requirements for AI infrastructure development. The agreement ensures a steady supply of copper from Rio Tinto's Arizona mining operations over the next two years.

AI Infrastructure Requirements

The copper supply agreement directly addresses the substantial material requirements for AWS's expanding AI data center operations. Copper plays a critical role in data center infrastructure, particularly in power distribution systems, cooling mechanisms, and networking equipment essential for AI computing operations.

Market Implications

This supply agreement reflects the broader trend of technology companies securing direct partnerships with mining operations to ensure reliable access to critical materials. The deal demonstrates AWS's proactive approach to supply chain management as the company continues to expand its AI and cloud computing infrastructure capabilities.

Amazon has implemented a new formalized performance review process requiring corporate employees to document specific accomplishments as part of their annual evaluation. The e-commerce giant's internal review system, known as Forte, now mandates employees submit three to five accomplishments that best demonstrate their work impact, according to internal guidelines.

New Accomplishment-Based Framework

The revised Forte process represents a significant shift from Amazon's previous approach. Employees must now provide specific examples of their deliverables and outline action plans for continued growth within the company. The internal guideline defines accomplishments as "specific projects, goals, initiatives, or process improvements that show the impact of your work."

The guidelines encourage employees to consider situations involving risk-taking or innovation, even when outcomes didn't meet expectations. This approach marks the first time Amazon has explicitly formalized Forte around individual accomplishments, departing from previous reviews that focused on broader questions about employee capabilities and contributions.

Impact on Compensation Structure

Forte plays a crucial role in determining employee remuneration within Amazon's compensation framework. Managers utilize multiple evaluation criteria to assign Overall Value ratings that directly influence annual pay decisions.

The comprehensive evaluation system combines these elements to create a holistic view of employee performance, with the new accomplishment-focused approach providing concrete evidence of individual contributions.

CEO Jassy's Workforce Strategy

The formalized Forte process aligns with CEO Andy Jassy's broader initiative to establish workforce discipline and unified corporate culture. His leadership has introduced several structural changes designed to enhance organizational efficiency and performance standards.

Jassy's 2025 initiatives include implementing a full return-to-office policy, reducing management layers, and overhauling Amazon's pay structure. The revised performance review process primarily recognizes top performers, creating a more competitive internal environment focused on measurable achievements.

Industry-Wide Performance Trend

Amazon's move reflects a broader shift in technology sector employee management practices. The industry has adopted increasingly demanding performance standards, with several major companies implementing similar achievement-based evaluation systems.

Several Amazon teams, including advertising and IMDb video divisions, previously pilot-tested similar Forte questions. Advertising head Paul Kotas informed staff that highlighting specific achievements "helps facilitate a more productive" dialogue with managers, demonstrating the practical benefits of the structured approach.

The formalized accomplishment-based review system represents Amazon's commitment to creating measurable performance standards while maintaining focus on individual contributions and growth within the organization.