semifinish

Semifinish is a term used in manufacturing to describe an item that has undergone some processing but is not yet a finished product ready for sale or use. It denotes an intermediate stage in the production pipeline, often used for planning, inventory, and scheduling. Semifinished goods arise to balance throughput, reduce bottlenecks, and enable parallel processing of operations. They may be held as work-in-progress or as a defined class of inventory with its own lead times and quality checks. The transition from semifinish to finished goods typically requires one or more remaining processes, such as final machining, assembly, coating, heat treatment, dyeing, or inspection, depending on the industry and product specification.

Common forms across industries include: in metalworking, rough-turned or rough-machined parts that meet near-final dimensions but lack final tolerances; in woodworking, planed or surfaced boards awaiting final trim or sizing; in textiles, greige or semi-processed fabrics awaiting dyeing or finishing. In electronics manufacturing, semifinished assemblies may refer to modules that have completed core assembly but require final integration and testing. The term is closely related to and sometimes used interchangeably with semi-finished goods, in-process materials, or work-in-progress.

Notes: Semifinish status implies heightened attention to storage, handling, and obsolescence risk because changes to downstream processes or demand can affect the viability of the intermediate item. It is a planning concept rather than a formal product standard, varying in meaning by industry, company, and production system.