Beginning in 1902 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Merkel was one of the first brands to begin building the well known motorcycle. It was then purchased in 1909 by the Light Manufacturing Company and the entire production was moved to Pottstown, PA. "Miami made is best made" was the slogan at the Miami Cycle Manufacturing Company since 1895, which was the company that bought Merkel in 1911. Once purchased, the production moved to Ohio and then the slogan changed to "All roads are smooth to The Flying Merkel". The Flying Merkel was then produced in Middletown, Ohio and was the first self-starter and a two-speed motorcycle in 1913.