Ukkola's small village is situated remotely between Uimaharju and Vuonisjärvi (East, North-Karelia, woods). There is one reason why it exists, and the reason is a sawmill, which started as a medium size, cooperative sawmill of local forest owners in 1926. The wooden mill burned and was rebuilt in 1941. Later many buildings related to modern sawing were erected to the large area, which has been used for sawing until recent years. Last big owner was Metsä-T¡mber and after it, a private enterprise Ukkolan Saha Oy, that operated still in the year 2003.

This may seem like an improbable place for developing and testing new groundbreaking technology, but the private company last active here was led by a leading edge technology researcher, and the sawmill was about to start producing new, special hydrophobic timber. However, sudden passing of the director messed things and sawing ended. To out great disappointment we were too late with the visit, since the weak conditioned sawmill had been recently demolished. Had it been around, the place would have doubtlessly been the most intact large scale sawmill we've ever visited, and in such a great location.

Fate of industry here seems quite bleak now, when there is no actual sawmill around. A new entrepreneur has started using the area for other purposes. There is probably no return to the old days, but there is one uplifting thing left: the village shop, which against all odds continues the struggle against fading of customers and has quite good selection of groceries.