Based in Walsall , the centre of the leather industry, the W Lees (the company behind the outlook range)has always benefited from sourcing its productive labour locally. However, soon after its inception in 1973, the company ceased manufacturing for the equestrian and pet trade and concentrated on leather belt and brace production.

In the early days, business was buoyant serving the wholesale trade within the UK but from the mid seventies, it became clear that the retail trade could be additionally served by trading directly from the manufacturer. W. Lees therefore registered the trading name, 'Outlook belts' and principally targeted the retail sector with this brand name that have proved very successful.