Against the backdrop of global industrial transformation and China’s economic restructuring, promoting the innovation and development of regional characteristic industries is of great significance for enhancing local economic competitiveness. This study focuses on the mechanical equipment industry (including valves and fire protection) in Nan’an City, Fujian Province, conducting an in-depth analysis of its industrial foundation and challenges. It identifies strengths and weaknesses in key areas such as engineering machinery core components and stone/ceramic machinery. A development path oriented toward intelligent and high-end advancement is proposed. By analyzing the latest industrial practices and cases, a systematic development plan is constructed from dimensions including enterprise cultivation, technological innovation, and platform building. The aim is to provide decision making references for building an advanced equipment manufacturing cluster in Nan’an City, while also offering practical insights for industrial transformation in similar regions.