Abstract: A step nose is formed having a tread portion and a riser portion, formed initially as a flat strip, the tread portion having a receiving slot formed therein, and the riser portion having a hook formed as part thereof. The tread and riser portions are stretchable with respect to one another so as to enable the hook to interlockingly engage the slot when the tread and riser portions of the flat strip are bent towards one another to thereby form a step nose ready for installation. Machines are further disclosed for forming the flat step nose strip into an assembled state by bending the tread and riser portions and interlocking them together.